Alliance for Conflict Transformation

Who We Are

In 1999, ACT was formed by six founding members dedicated to peacebuilding, including Dr. Nike Carstarphen, Dr. Robert Harris, Dr. Susan Allen Nan, Ms. Giselle Huamani Ober, Dr. Ilana Shapiro, and Dr. Craig Zelizer. All are former or current PhD candidates from the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Each founding member continues to be active in ACT through various roles.

ACT also relies on staff and volunteers to conduct it's work. In addition, ACT hires consultants on an as-needed basis to work on specific projects.

Click on a name to read a brief biography about the founding members and current staff. As we upload more information to the site, we'll be adding links to published works and project reviews, as well as recent updates on what the person is doing currently. You'll be able to find those links beneath the individual biographies. To view a picture of the original founders, click here.

Board of Directors*

Giselle Huamani-Ober, MA
Conflict Resolution Specialist
SNV Development Organization
Lima, Peru

Susan Allen Nan, PhD
Assistant Professor & Director of Certificate Programs
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
George Mason University
Arlington, VA USA

Ilana Shapiro, PhD
Associate Director & Assistant Professor
Psychology of Peace and Prevention of Violence Program
University of Masschusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA USA

Nike Carstarphen, PhD (Ex Officio Member, Non Voting)
Senior Partner
Alliance for Conflict Transformation
Alexandria, VA USA

Craig Zelizer, PhD (Ex Officio Member, Non Voting)
Visiting Assistant Professor
Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution
Department of Government
Georgetown University
37th & O Street, NW
Washington, DC 20057

Senior Partner

Nike Carstarphen, PhD

Staff

Will Baynard - Forums Consultant

Jason A. Simon - Forums Consultant

Jennifer Bilec - Forums Consultant

Maria Fitch - Program Coordinator, Institute on Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Bolivia

Cata Rojas, PhD - Co-Director, Institute on Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

*Board members serve on the board in their personal capacities and not as representatives of their respective organizations. Organizational affiliations are listed for information purposes only.

ACT is a founding member of the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) (formerly the Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution (AICPR).