Daphne Skretvedt , a Dominican Associate since 2002, was recently crowned “queen” at a party of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday June 20, 2025. Alejandro Henning, the Director of Human Resources during Daphne’s tenure, graciously combined the annual retirement party with a reunion of those UN field workers who served with Daphne and were served by Daphne. A definite highlight of the evening was Daphne’s remarks to her former co-workers in which she declared her on-going love and concern for all of them. She pledged to continue to carry them in her heart and share their burdens as she follows their work throughout the world.
Daphne served as Staff Counselor to the United Nations Staff at the Palais Des Nation, the headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva from 1985 to 1992. She was then appointed Staff Welfare Officer at the UNHCR where her responsibilities were extended to include field staff. Daphne’s expertise as a master social worker, her concern for the welfare of all persons, and her compassionate heart drew her to specifically address the mental and emotional needs of UN staff serving in warzones and high risk security situations. Her assignment became the creation and implementation of a Stress Management Strategy and Program for UN workers. In order to assess the needs of those under her care and implement the program she often went “on mission” to United Nations duty stations E.G. Rwanda, Goma, Burundi, Sierra Leone and the Russian Federation countries of Ossetia, Dagestan (formerly Yugoslavia).
Daphne retired her position in 1996. After retirement, Daphne was engaged as a consultant on several missions for both UNHCR and UN New York until 2000. In 2002, Daphne and her husband Merlin became Dominican Associates and also serve on SDART, the congregations Anti-Racism team. She humbly and joyfully testifies that her successor in the role has continued to augment the service to staff and to adapt it to present conditions. The legacy continues!
