Kimberly Weichel, Chief Executive Officer

Kimberly Weichel is a social entrepreneur who has worked for 30 years building bridges between cultures and segments of society, providing the skills and education that people need to improve their own lives. She is an advocate for women’s advancement and empowerment and has trained and supported women in many countries. Her background includes experience directing international projects, peacebuilding initiatives, cross-cultural and conflict resolution training, education programs, and international development. She directed change projects in South Africa for five years under apartheid, led citizen diplomacy trips and directed business training programs in the former Soviet Union, and has worked with many international agencies and consulting firms, including the United Nations. Kim is co-founder and director of the Institute for Peacebuilding, offering courses, training, and consulting in conflict resolution and peace leadership. Kim is a radio and cable TV producer and author, and most recently co-authored the book Healing the Heart of the World. www.kimweichel.org.

Read an in-depth interview with Kim and learn more about how the work of Peace X Peace connects with the core tenets of her own personal purpose here.

To reach Ms. Weichel, email kim@peacexpeace.org.

Molly Mayfield Barbee, Executive Director

Ms. Mayfield Barbee has worn many hats at Peace X Peace, including managing the Women’s Global Initiative, a special program designed to build bridges across the cultures of the United States and the Arab and Muslim worlds, and developing a regional strategy for Peace X Peace to expand and enhance its presence globally, beginning with the Middle East and North Africa. After having spent the last two years in Khartoum, Sudan, Molly returned to Washington, DC where she focused on fundraising and administration for the organization.

Currently, Ms. Mayfield Barbee is a new resident of Montreal, Canada and will be bundling up before venturing outside. She is full of hope as she embraces her new role as Executive Director, and looks forward to leading Peace X Peace in new successful directions. Tourours trankuille!

A graduate of Harvard University’s Divinity School, she has worked for development organizations while living in Morocco, with an aid and education program for refugees while living in Egypt, and for other organizations with intercultural interests throughout the United States. Her background is in intercultural counseling and language study.

To reach Ms. Mayfield Barbee, email molly@peacexpeace.org.

Mary L. Liepold, Editor in Chief

Mary Liston Liepold, Ph.D., has 30 years of experience writing and editing a wide range of materials for national nonprofits, federal and state agencies, and individual authors, and 10 years raising funds for major nonprofits. Before coming to Peace X Peace Dr. Liepold spent 14 years at the Child Welfare League of America, where she developed and for eight years edited the magazine Children’s Voice. From 2000 through 2005 she wrote speeches for CWLA President Shay Bilchik while raising several million dollars in federal and foundation grants and developing the organization’s first individual giving program.

Earlier, she worked for the American Catholic Lay Network, the National Science Teachers Association, and Peace Links. Mary earned her doctorate in American Literature and Linguistics from the Catholic University of America. Mother of four, grandmother of five, and a daycare mom for 15 happy years before joining the salaried workforce, Dr. Liepold believes with Gandhi that if we want peace, we have to begin with the children. She also believes that if the people lead, the leaders will follow, and she lives that maxim daily at Peace X Peace.

To reach Dr. Liepold, email maryl@peacexpeace.org.

Alicia Simoni, Editor and Community Manager

Ms. Alicia Simoni contributes straight-forward analysis and cutting-edge ideas to Peace X Peace publications. In doing so, she actively engages with members of the Peace X Peace Community to solicit innovative perspectives and solutions for peace. Over the past 10 years, Alicia has dedicated her career and research to women’s issues and peacebuilding efforts. Before coming to Peace X Peace, Alicia supported the implementation of relief and development programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan at International Medical Corps. She has significant experience in the design, implementation, and assessment of programs for women survivors of war.

In addition to several years of experience with the international nonprofit Women for Women International, Alicia has also served as a writer for the Women PeaceMaker Program at the University of San Diego, where she documented the life story and peacebuilding work of a South African woman. She has extensive international experience, including time in Afghanistan, Uganda, and Northern Ireland. She holds an MA in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied anthropology and women’s studies.

To reach Ms. Simoni, email alicia@peacexpeace.org.

Liora R. Herman, Marketing & Outreach Manager

Ms. Herman is an integral part of the Peace X Peace team. She has played many important roles. Most recently, Ms. Herman was the Membership Coordinator. As part of the Membership Team she coordinated the development, implementation, and administration of member communications, recruitment and retention campaigns. In particular, she played a significant role in Peace X Peace’s university outreach.

Ms. Herman has also been Program Associate, where her creativity, ability to muti-task, and vision for peace expanded on a daily basis. She focused her energy on building a foundation for dynamic programs that excite and unite. Prior to that, Ms. Herman served as the Office Manager/Executive Assitant where she provided organizational and administrative support to all Peace X Peace team members.

Liora is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. Although her specialty is the Middle East, she has also spent a significant amount of time studying conflict in Africa and South America. She is proficient in Hebrew and Spanish and has traveled to many nations where knowledge of these languages came into play. She is excited to be with Peace X Peace under the new leadership of Molly Mayfield Barbee and looks forward to all the wonderful changes that are soon to come.

To reach Ms. Herman, email liora@peacexpeace.org.