The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
MEET THE STAFF
The staff’s daily work is done at our Arlington office by our Program Officers under the guidance of our CEO Ambassador McDonald and Executive Director Erica Sewell.
AMBASSADOR JOHN W. MCDONALD – CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Ambassador John W. McDonald is a lawyer, diplomat, former international civil servant, development expert and peacebuilder, concerned about world social, economic and ethnic problems. He spent twenty years of his career in Western Europe and the Middle East and worked for sixteen years on United Nations economic and social affairs. Read more…
EILEEN R. BORRIS, Ed.D. – DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
Dr. Borris is a clinical and political psychologist working in the field of international conflict resolution and reconciliation especially with emerging democracies. Her focus is on bringing ethnic and regional groups in conflict together within the framework of multi-track diplomacy and incorporating forgiveness and reconciliation processes within the broader context of conflict resolution. Read more…
ERICA SEWELL – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Erica Sewell holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University where she focused on conflict and gender. Sewell specializes in designing peace education, women’s empowerment and service learning curriculum. Currently, Sewell is serving as the Executive Director of IMTD. Prior to IMTD, she was the Youth and Education Program Manager at Sister Cities International. Due to Sewell’s extensive experience working with youth, she served as director of Sister Cities International annual youth Conference which brought together youth from Iraq, the United States, Ghana, India, Morocco and Mexico. In addition, Sewell has worked with the International Rescue Committee, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and WOMANKIND Worldwide in London, England. Sewell’s publications include: Women for Women Internationals academic journal Critical Half and InterAction’s journal Monday Developments. Currently, Sewell is writing extensively on the Liberian women’s peace movement. In her free time Erica is an active member of the Junior League and volunteers frequently.
ANNA MARKLEY – OFFICE MANAGER
Anna Markley holds a B.A. in International Development from Portland State University in Oregon. Markley is excited to be on the IMTD team as the Office Manager. Her first international experience was during the 2003-2004 school year in Germany as an exchange student. As a result of the experience, Markley developed a strong interest in traveling and learning other cultures. Most recently, she traveled to South Africa for a three-month internship at the Institute for Democracy, during which she was able to work closely with local leaders in rural communities. In particular, Markley is interested in issues of human rights, equity and sustainable design. Eventually she would like to continue her studies in International or Community Development. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, playing piano, discovering new music, drawing, and listening to NPR while sipping good coffee.
DODGE FIELDING - SCORE FOR PEACE PROGRAM OFFICER
Mr. Fielding, a graduate of Hamilton College, is the author of 13 books and founded three successful companies, including the first private enterprise to download and translate Soviet television program. He was worked as an executive business consultant for profit and non-profit organizations.
JESSICA S. GISONDO – CUBA PROGRAM OFFICER
Jessica is from Southern California and is currently living in Washington, DC to pursue a higher education and career in International Affairs. Jessica holds a B.A. in International Studies—History and a minor in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She is currently a Master of Arts candidate at The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, where she is studying International Affairs with concentrations in Conflict and Conflict Resolution and International Law and Organizations. Jessica lived and studied abroad in Córdoba, Spain and is a proficient Spanish speaker. At IMTD, Jessica is working on Conflict Resolution training in Cuban Universities and a sustainable development workshop between Cubans and Americans to be held in Toronto.
KEVIN LAFLEUR – SOMALIA PROGRAM OFFICER
Kevin LaFleur is a graduate student in Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs at American University. Kevin joined the Institute in August 2009 as the Program Officer for Somalia. Before beginning his education in conflict resolution and peace studies, Kevin served in the United States Marine Corps for five years. During that period he lived and traveled throughout many parts of Africa and East Asia. Kevin has continued with IMTD into the spring quarter where he has been assisting the Ambassador in teaching a conflict resolution class at the National Defense University in Washington D.C.
LINDA NOBLE – TIBET/KASHMIR PROGRAM OFFICER
A native to Scotland who enjoys backpacking the globe, Linda Noble immigrated to the U.S. in 1985. After a career as a small business owner, educator and designer in the fashion industry, Linda lived in India with the exiled Tibetan community for five years. While there she worked on community projects, studied Buddhist philosophy and completed many retreat practices. Returning to the U.S., Linda earned a doubled major BA from the University of Virginian in Religious Studies and Foreign Affairs with a minor in Global Culture and Commerce in 2007. She is currently an MA candidate for International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University in Washington D.C. with a focus on women’s role in peacebuilding and negotiation processes.
DHIRENDRA K. NALBO – TIBET/NEPAL PROGRAM OFFICER
As an indigenous national, Dhirendra was born and raised in Lingtep, Taplejung, far northeastern Nepal. After he finished schooling there, he moved to Kathmandu for further studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Tribhuwan University and Master’s degree from IACER (Pokhara University). While in Nepal, he worked as a Program Manager with an NGO that provided vocational training for conflict-affected youths and helped them integrate into society. Later, he received his second Masters with honors in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK. As a part of the team at IMTD, he is a Program Officer for projects in Nepal, Tibet, and at the National Defense University.
NEIL KUMAR – KARTARPUR PROGRAM OFFICER
Neil Kumar was born in Charlotte, North Carolina but spent the majority of his life in the DC metro area. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Economics from Virginia Tech in 2004. After working for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) for nearly three years, Neil shifted gears and left CSC in September 2007 to pursue a career in peacebuilding. He is currently studying towards his Master of Science Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR). Aside from pursuing a Master of Science in conflict studies, Neil has held other internship positions with organizations such as The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The International Crisis Group. At IMTD Neil is working on a project which aims to create a peace zone between India and Pakistan, which would link the three tombs of Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion, that lie in an area of 4 kilometers on both sides of the border.
SAMUEL JOHNSON – LIBERIA & HAITI PROGRAM OFFICER
Sam is from Liberia and has been in the US since the fall of 2006 for graduate studies. He’s currently a Doctoral student at the George Mason University, studying Conflict and Economic Development. Prior to his entry at George Mason, Sam completed his Master’s in International Affairs and Economics at Ohio University. At Ohio University he taught at The Ohio University Global Leadership Center (GLC), where he developed and managed the Collaborative Research Project on Micro-finance between the GLC and the University of Liberia Micro-finance Research and Training Center until his departure in 2009. The GLC offers a highly competitive two-year undergraduate leadership certificate program that prepares students to think critically and creatively about ways of solving real world problems.
In Liberia, Sam worked as a journalist and later as a Communications Officer for UNICEF. He has contributed articles to journalistic articles to Liberia’s national press Liberia on the issues of poverty, economic development and conflict. He has also consulted on various internationally funded research projects in Liberia: The most recent are the Opinion and Attitude Study on Access to Information and Media Consumption and Communication Environment in Liberia for the Liberia Media Center funded by the World Bank Communication Division; and the poverty reduction strategy-reporting manual for Liberian journalists edited by M. Smith & L. Arogundade titled “Understanding the Politics of Poverty and Development: A JOURNALIST’S GUIDE funded by the International Center for Journalists/ Knight International Journalism Fellow and Trust Africa. The two publications were released in May 2009.
KAREN DICKMAN – GLOBAL WATER PROGRAM OFFICER
Reverend Karen Dickman is a mediator/conflict professional with extensive restorative justice experience working with people with AIDS, mental illnesses, ex-offenders, victims of violent crimes, and in jails and prisons. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and universities on topics related to religion and/or restorative justice. Within IMTD she manages the Water Program, promoting the Water for the World Act and access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in developing regions around the world. She also crosses into projects related to women and forgiveness movements. Educationally she has a BA in Criminal Justice and graduate studies in Criminal Justice, Religious Studies, and International Peace and Conflict Resolution.
ASHLEY BUBNA – COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Ashley Bubna holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in international relations from Louisiana State University. She is from Abita Springs, Louisiana. Currently, Ms. Bubna is a Master of Arts candidate in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University. At IMTD Ms. Bubnais the Communications Officer and is responsible for public relations and management of the Web site and newsletter. Her interests include human rights, gender and environmental issues in conflict. Ms Bubna previously served as a Latin American intern for the International Center for Journalists in Washington DC. In addition, she is proficient in Spanish and basic in French.
DOYIN IDOWU – NIGERIA-NIGER DELTA PROGRAM OFFICER
Doyin Idowu is a Nigerian national who earned both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Communication, Arts, Peace and Conflict Studies in 2001 and 2005 respectively from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. While in Nigeria, he worked with non-governmental organizations that specialize in peacebuilding, development, environment and social justice issues. This include packaging program aimed at capacity building on conflict resolution, budgeting, community development, needs assessment for grassroots communities and advocacy and lobbying that facilitate constructive dialogue and interface between the three different tiers of government, its various ministries and departments as well as other private entities and their various stakeholders. This enhanced participatory approaches and inclusiveness via advocacy and lobbying on diverse issues that concern development and governance.
Doyin has participated in the development of some state and national documents in the country in areas such as peace policy, inclusive budgeting and electoral reform. He has worked on various internationally funded projects while in Nigeria. He is a Program Officer on Niger Delta and Nigeria.