• At a Glance
• Staff and Leadership
• News
• Contact Us

• Services
• • Mediation
  • Professional Development

• Projects
• • Open Country Projects
  • General Projects
  • Closed Country Projects

• Publications
• • Books
  • Occasional Papers
  • Annual Reports
  • Newsletters

• Participate
• • Internship Program
  • Ways to Contribute
  • Become a Member

JOHN W. MCDONALD, AMBASSADOR (ret.)– 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…

KAREN DICKMAN – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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.

MARY CALOMIRIS – TIBET PROGRAM MANAGER

Mary was born and raised in Washington DC. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Tulane University of Lousiana and recently completed her Masters in International Affairs from The Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Mary organized, coordinated and led international delegations for the Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC and has also worked in Thailand for Prevent Human Trafficking on various projects in shelters and detention centers. Mary has been working on peacebuilding projects with the Tibetan Government and Community in Exile.

NATALIE LITTLEFIELD, J.D. – PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Natalie has helped design and develop the new Professional Development Program, a conflict resolution magazine, and IMTD’s Mediation Services. She now works exclusively as a program development consultant for the Professional Development Program.  She has taught various conflict resolution skills classes as a law school competition adviser and she was a college-level mediation co-instructor at American University. She has two years’ experience as an editor for a business law brief and over two years of experience as a researcher for an international mediation publication.  She holds a BA in English literature from the University of Texas at El Paso and a law degree from American University Washington College of Law.

CATHRYN MEURN – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

Cat works on the Professional Development Program at IMTD. She is also currently working towards the completion of her master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Prior to IMTD, Cat worked at the United Nations Foundation on various projects including the use of mobile technologies for health, disaster relief and conflict management. Coming from an international studies background, Cat has spent time abroad in various countries including Spain, Italy, and Northern Ireland. Her undergraduate degree is from Dickinson College in International Studies with a concentration in Human Security and Globalization.

ELLIOT TALBERT-GOLDSTEIN – COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER; IMTD EAST CONSULTANT

Elliot joins IMTD with communications experience in a variety of industries. He has been working independently with clients since 2009, focusing his efforts on nonprofits and small businesses. His dedication to the work of NGOs has led him to continue to provide communication solutions to socially-focused organizations of all types. His background is in digital media and will focus on the online presence of the organization and its projects in addition to coordinating traditional marketing campaigns. He is currently managing the communications efforts of multiple projects at IMTD, including the Professional Development Program and Mediation Services. Elliot holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

CHIZURU ASAHINA – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE; ARCHIVES PROGRAM INTERN

Chizuru holds a Master of Arts degree in International Education from George Washington University. Her focus was peace education and education in emergencies in Africa. She started working at IMTD in July, 2012.  Chizuru is the Editor-in-Chief for a new conflict resolution publication at IMTD – Conflict Perspectives Magazine.  As an archiving intern for IMTD, Chizuru is working to summarize and digitize the organization’s documents. Before coming to the IMTD, she spent some time in Africa for conference and research in Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia. She also holds a BA in International Studies from Brigham Young University.

ALEXIS KRAMER, J.D. – MANAGING EDITOR, CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE; IMTD EAST LIAISON

Alexis graduated with a J.D. and M.A. in International Affairs from American University Washington College of Law and the School of International Service. She is currently working as the Managing Editor for IMTD’s Conflict Perspectives Magazine as well as a liaison between IMTD and IMTD East. Prior to joining IMTD, Alexis served as a research assistant at the American Society of International Law and the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. She was also a member of the International Law Review during law school and focused her graduate studies on Conflict Resolution in the Middle East, particularly with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

MITHILA DESHPANDE – PROGRAM OFFICER, INDIA-PAKISTAN

Mithila is currently working on peacebuilding projects aimed at improving India-Pakistan relations, including the Kartarpur Marg Peace Corridor Project. She is pursuing her Masters in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University, Washington DC. She also holds a Master’s degree in History from Mumbai University, India. She has worked as Research Fellow at the Xavier Institute of Social Research, Mumbai on forced migration of tribals and issues related to development and displacement in India. She is fluent in English, Marathi, Hindi, Spanish and French.

ENGY SAID – PROGRAM OFFICER, THE BALKANS

Engy graduated from Cairo University with a B.Sc. in economics and political science. She also studied conflict management at Georgetown University. She has worked at the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States, helping to coordinate the first Arab economic, social and development summit. She also worked as an Investment Specialist for the Private Investments Department at the Commercial International Bank of Egypt. Engy serves as a diplomat at Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she helps manage bilateral relations between Egypt and the Balkans. She is currently pursing her M.A in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Her major areas of interests are peacekeeping and peacebuilding, women rights, non-violence, post-conflict reconstruction, multi-track diplomacy, counter-terrorism , religion and peacebuilding.

KALI MICHAEL – ARCHIVES PROGRAM OFFICER

Kali was born in the United States and raised in Trinidad. Kali started working with the Archiving/Institutional Memory Program at IMTD at the end of January, 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from SUNY Albany in 2005 and recently completed his Masters of Arts degree in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University. He has lived and worked in Uganda for two months as an Operation Crossroads Africa volunteer and has also authored a research paper on the history of conflict within that country. During his time at IMTD, Kali has authored a project report on the Kartarpur Marg Peace Corridor. Currently he is working with archiving interns to store information related to IMTD’s projects in digital formats.

JARED ARTHUR – PROGRAM OFFICER, NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY

Jared graduated from Arizona State University with Criminal Justice and Minor in Political Science. He is currently working towards the completion of his master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Prior to IMTD and moving to DC he worked in Arizona for a Non-Profit Organization called “Marks on Hearts,” which catered to the needs of individuals with special needs both physical and mental to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He also worked with another non-profit called, “Darfur and Beyond”, where he helped bring people and organizations together to promote advocacy and build political will to end genocide and mass atrocities throughout the world. At IMTD, Jared is the teaching assistant for the ‘Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding’ course at NDU.

ENOLE ADAPOYI– PROGRAM MANAGER, NIGERIA

Enole Adapoyi has been working on changing the culture of violence in Nigeria through peace building .She joined IMTD bringing her experience as a business administrator to advocate for skill training and entrepreneurship advocating for sustainability. She is getting her master’s of science in management and homeland security from the University Maryland university college. Her program the peace initiate is a transformational collaboration for development in the Niger delta that working with NGO to promote proletarian participation. She picked up the work of Noa Zanolli’s dialogue in the Niger Delta in an involving approach. She is also working on interfaith dialogues in the northern part of Nigeria and Partnering with NGO to source for funds, humanitarian assistance, conflict resolution techniques and the improvement of girl learning.

TANWEER WANI – MODEL PEACE PROJECT MANAGER

Tanweer Wani is an Ambassador of Peace for Universal Peace Federation, as well as a lawyer and peace activist form Kashmir (India), now a permanent resident in the United States. He is the president of Kashmir Institute of Peace Studies (KIPS), a Kashmir based peace centre which focuses on conflict resolution and peace studies. Tanweer has completed his Master’s degree in International Law from George Washington University. Currently he is working on a book “A Date with America”, a political fiction, exploring sociopolitical institutions of the United States. He has been involved with Kashmir conflict since his early college years and has been working on facilitating a pilgrimage bus service for Kashmir on either side of the India- Pakistan border. . Currently he is working on project “Model Peace”. Through this project IMTD, on the lines of Model UN, aims to promote dialogue and discussion of the system bases approach to peace building among youth.

NOUF AL SADIQ – MODEL PEACE PROJECT OFFICER

Nouf Al Sadiq is in the process of completing her Bachelors Degree in International Studies and the Middle East at American University in Washington, DC. As an active member of the American University community, she has taken on leadership roles at a number of student organizations including the Muslim Student Association, Saudi Student Association, and Delta Phi Epsilon: Professional Foreign Service Sorority. Previously, she had interned at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC. Nouf’s position at the Embassy was a News Analyst at the Saudi Information office. Currently, she is interning at IMTD and is working at assisting in Project “Model Peace”, which aims to establish a system that is based on dialogue and discussion. Nouf’s relevant experience includes participating in Model UN, Model Arab League and the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico.

Dr.REGINA VAYALIPARAMPIL – PROGRAM MANAGER, NEPAL

Regina is involved in designing programs that help sustain peace in Nepal through the involvement of the various segments of Nepalese society. She is graduating from a dual-title PhD program in education policy and international education at Pennsylvania State University. Her dissertation is on “Stakeholder Perceptions of the Education for All Campaign Effectiveness in Increasing School Enrollment in India”. During this period she has also had the opportunity to intern with UNICEF and examine the School Water and Sanitation Towards Health and Hygiene intervention in Jharkhand, India. Prior to moving to the US she worked as a Math and Science teacher, English language tutor and program coordinator in the United Arab Emirates and India. Regina has also completed graduate studies in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon and has an undergraduate degree in Physics from Goa University, India.

MARTINA JAHADOVA – NEPAL PROGRAM OFFICER

Martina is currently getting a Master’s degree in International Relations at Bond University in Australia and furthering her understanding of humanitarian aid in a global context. She is in her last semester, and is now in Washington, D.C. undertaking the Washington Internship Program at Washington Internship Institute.  At Bond University, she took relevant courses such as Advanced Global Politics, Evaluating Strategic India, Global Statecraft and Security, Terrorism and War that provided thorough insights into humanitarian affairs. As a part of these courses, she wrote various assignments focusing on humanitarian affairs, more specifically, on children’s rights in South Asia, norm of responsibility to protect and the Sphere project.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and European Studies from the Metropolitan University in Prague, and studied one semester in Finland at the University of Lapland in the city of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle.  Moreover, her Bachelor’s thesis was focused on the concept of humanitarian intervention and the conflict in Darfur was implemented as a case study. In addition, she enjoyed learning about the role of diplomacy as a means for conflict resolution in international relations.

HILARY SMITH – PROGRAM OFFICER, DIALOGUES

Hilary recently graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Middle East Studies/Arabic for which she completed the third year of the language in Amman, Jordan. Upon graduation, she interned at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute, where she facilitated and attended classes in Near East and North African affairs. She currently attends the Institute of World Politics seeking her MA in Statecraft and National Security. Hilary is managing IMTD’s Dialogues program, which sets up facilitated meetings between parties in conflict in Northern Ireland and Burundi.

EMILY SCHULTZ – PROGRAM OFFICER, I AM ONE IN A BILLION

Emily is currently working on IMTD’s I Am One In A Billion campaign to mobilize global citizens to voice their demands for climate policy change. She is also enrolled in a program in international affairs at American University and is planning on pursuing a Masters degree in international development in the near future. Emily has worked with various human rights organizations, including the Center for Justice and International Law and Witness for Peace. She earned her BA in International Relations at the University of Redlands, focusing on international peace and conflict resolution, human rights and Latin American studies. She has spent time in various countries, including Guatemala, Ecuador and Cyprus.

NADIA MEHR – PAKISTAN PROJECT OFFICER

Nadia was born and raised in Pakistan. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Journalism and is now pursuing her Master’s in Political Science from Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan. Nadia is working as a Research Officer in the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), an NGO in Islamabad. She has been actively involved in KIIR’s activities to settle the Kashmir dispute through substantive dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. At IMTD, Nadia is working on a project to enhance bilateral trade between India and Pakistan.

ADITYA SINGLA – INDIA PROJECT OFFICER

Aditya Singla is a third generation lawyer from New Delhi, India. He obtained his law (B.A., LL.B.) degree in 2008 and thereafter joined the Law offices of Mr. Sidharth Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India. After practicing for two years as a criminal defense lawyer at the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi and the Supreme Court of India, he moved to the United States for further studies. He recently obtained his Masters in Law (LL.M.) degree from the George Washington University Law School with concentrations in Business and Finance Laws. During his legal studies he assisted Mr. D.K. Agarwal, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, in the preparation of his monograph entitled “ India: Constitution Law”. Aditya is working on projects regarding India-Pakistan relations and peacebuilding.