Senior Management Team

Steven Muncy, BSW, MSW, MPH, DrPH – Executive Director

Dr. Steven Muncy has served as the Executive Director of Community and Family Services International (CFSI) since its inception in 1981 and concurrently, from 2006 through 2016, as the Coordinator of the Social Work Education Project (SWEP) in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, Philippines. A resident of the Philippines since 1980, he has been actively involved in promoting human security, humanitarian action, social work education, and good governance throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to his work at CFSI, Muncy has been a consultant for the World Bank, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), governments, and others, involving travel throughout Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Muncy has lectured at various universities and served on the Boards of other civil society organizations, including two three-year terms on the Board of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) – the global NGO network that advocates for principled humanitarian action. He also served for two years on the Board of the Association of Foundations (AF) of the Philippines. Since 2017, Muncy has served on the Philippines National Nominating Committee for the Transformative Leaders for Health Equity Initiative.

In 1993, Muncy was recognized by the Philippine Government for distinguished service in support of the refugee assistance programme at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center. In 2001, he was named an Honorary Associate in the Faculty of Health Sciences at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia for his contributions to the School of Social Work and Social Policy. In 2011, the National Catholic School of Social Service at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, presented Muncy with the Alumni Achievement Recognition Award, citing his work in the Philippines and other parts of Asia. In 2017, the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City, Philippines conferred upon Muncy the degree Doctor Humanities, Honoris Causa, in recognition of 37 years of humanitarian action and advocacy.

Muncy was named one of five awardees of the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and highest honor. He received this award for his work with CFSI and his selfless service to the people of Asia. In 2023, the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc (PASWI) recognized Muncy’s lifelong contributions to humanitarian and development work in the Philippines, citing his untiring efforts towards the achievement of peace, harmony, human security and peacebuilding in the country and beyond.

A citizen of the United States, Muncy earned the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree at James Madison University in Virginia and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He earned the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and the Doctor of Public Health
(DrPH) degree at the University of Philippines. Muncy completed a fellowship at the Refugee Studies Centre at Oxford University and participated in an executive education programme through the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Neil Sison – Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration

Neil Sison was appointed Deputy Executive Director of CFSI in September 2009. He holds this post concurrently with that of Director for Finance and Administration, the position he assumed in February 2007. He joined CFSI in 2005 as Executive Assistant in the Office of the Executive Director.

Mr. Sison is responsible for organization-wide operational concerns, which include financial management, human resources, administration, logistics, and information technology. He is the CFSI focal point for all external audits, as well as licensing, certification, accreditation, and quality management processes. Mr. Sison has completed specialized training in “Building Safer Organizations” and investigations. Moreover, Mr. Sison serves on the joint Board/Staff Personnel Committee, Retirement Fund Committee, and Resource Development Committee.

A citizen of the Philippines, Mr. Sison earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics at the University of the Philippines. He earned his second degree, the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, at De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde. He obtained the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in 2021 from the University of the Philippines. Prior to joining CFSI, Mr. Sison served in finance, administration, and human resource management positions for several business firms based in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Australia.

Noraida Abdullah Karim, RSW, MTSW – Director for Mindanao Programme

Ms. Noraida Adang Abdullah Karim was named Deputy Director for Philippine Programme in 2011, after serving as Mindanao Operations Coordinator since 2007. Living and working in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Ms. Abdullah Karim is responsible for managing all CFSI projects and initiatives in Mindanao, especially for communities affected and displaced by armed conflict.

Having experienced – and survived – repeated displacement firsthand in her childhood and young adulthood, Ms. Abdullah Karim began her life’s work by serving and advocating for displaced communities, particularly Muslims who fled war-torn Mindanao in hopes of safety in Manila. When a peace agreement was reached in 1996, she returned to Mindanao, worked for local civil society organizations, and resumed her studies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from De La Vida College in 1999.

She joined CFSI in 2001 to participate in the emergency response to large-scale displacement caused by armed conflict. In 2007, her service excellence, character, and impact on the lives of displaced people were recognized internationally, and she was granted two highly prestigious awards: the Voices of Courage Award from the Women’s Commission on Refugee Women and Children; and the Social Justice and Social Change Award from the Catholic University of America (CUA). In 2013, she was one of nine women awarded the prestigious “The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service” (TOWNS) award. The award, conferred every three years by the TOWNS Foundation in the Philippines, recognizes outstanding Filipino women who have contributed positively to strengthening national capability and in shaping the nation’s future, and who have served as catalysts for economic, social and cultural development.

Ms. Abdullah Karim obtained the Master of Teaching in Social Work (MTSW) degree in 2009 from the Catholic University of America through the Social Work Education Project (SWEP). Subsequently, while carrying out her duties at CFSI, Ms. Abdullah Karim completed the Mindanao Bridging Leaders program of the Asian Institute of Management.