Peacebuilding and humanitarian professionals need direction at this critical time.
Peacebuilding and humanitarian action are facing unprecedented challenges. From funding cuts to shifting global priorities, communities of peacebuilders and humanitarians must address these challenges. This event convenes students, practitioners, and educators to examine what these changes mean for the future of the field and how we can adapt, collaborate, and continue advancing human-centered responses in times of uncertainty.
Networking Reception
The seminar will be preceded by a face-to-face networking session and panel discussion at George Mason University (Arlington Campus) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. The networking session is co-hosted by the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Panelists
Joe O'Connor
Chief Executive Officer
Career Pivot
Joe O'Connor (he/him) is the CEO of Career Pivot. Joe’s professional background covers a decade of providing training and change management support as a contractor with various federal agencies including the Department of State, Army, Navy, and USAID. Before that he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania where he focused on youth development activities.
Sepideh Keyvanshad
Senior Advisor
Cambridge Global Advisors
For over two decades, Sepideh Keyvanshad has worked on organizational and structural change, leading multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in the United States and around the world. Sepideh has brought diverse teams together to jointly envision different and alternative outcomes and bring them to reality through creative and innovative approaches.
Saúl Ulloa
Fellowship Program Manager
Out in National Security
Saúl Ulloa (they/he) is a policy strategist and systems-builder in humanitarian relief and crisis response. They currently work as the Fellowships Program Manager at Out in National Security and also work as an independent consultant supporting municipal emergency management. Formerly a Global Policy Advisor at the International Rescue Committee, Saúl led advocacy on Ukraine, Yemen, Venezuela, and Gaza.
Elizabeth Hume
Executive Director
Alliance for Peacebuilding
Liz Hume (sher/her) is a conflict expert and has more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions in bilateral, multilateral institutions and NGOs. She has extensive experience in policy and advocacy and overseeing sizeable and complex peacebuilding programs in conflict-affected and fragile states in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
Moderators/Discussants
Naomi Davis
Policy Analyst
Virginia's Department of Housing and Community Development
Naomi Davis (she/her) is a strategic peacebuilder with the mission of building thriving communities. She holds a Master's in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the Carter School at George Mason University and has supported humanitarian aid education through the Forage Center for three years. In her role as a Policy Analyst for DHCD she continues to champion basic needs as foundational to a peaceful society.
David J. Smith
President
Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education
David J. Smith (he/him) is the president of the Forage Center. He has taught as adjunct faculty at the Carter School at George Mason U. for the past 17 years. Formerly, he was a senior program officer (leading the national outreach efforts) at the U.S. Institute of Peace and was a Fulbright U.S. Scholar at the University of Tartu (Estonia) teaching peace studies and conflict resolution. He is the author of Peace Jobs: A Student's Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace (IAP 2016).