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.

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Caroline Anderson, Blog and Social Media Manager

Caroline Anderson is the Blog and Social Media Manager at Peace X Peace.  She comes to the organization fresh from finishing a master’s degree in Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, where she completed a thesis entitled “The New Norms of New Media: How Advocacy Organizations Engage Members in the Digital Age.”  Before going back to school she spent two years at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, crafting the organization’s messages about cluster bombs, the peaceful prevention of deadly conflict, and budget issues, among other priorities.  While there she launched a podcast and oversaw the organizational blog.  She has also taught English in China and studied French in Paris and Avignon.  She believes that digital technologies have immense power to connect people across borders, and loves putting this principle to use promoting peace and women’s empowerment at Peace X Peace.

To reach Ms. Anderson, email caroline@peacexpeace.org.

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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.

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Yasmina Mrabet, Connection Point Manager

Yasmina Mrabet  is in the final stages of completing her Master’s degree at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, where she is writing a thesis exploring interpersonal conflict experienced by Arab Muslim women attending American universities. Yasmina has lived and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, and her experience in the field of conflict resolution has focused on intercultural dialogue aimed at addressing feelings of mutual fear and suspicion between the ‘West’ and the Arab and Muslim ‘world.’ She strongly believes in the utility of web-based technologies for peacebuilding, and is passionate about expanding the use of such technologies for women’s empowerment at Peace X Peace.

To reach Ms. Mrabet, email yasmina@peacexpeace.org.

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Abby Smith, Outreach & Administration Manager

Abby Smith is Outreach and Administration Manager at Peace X Peace. She will graduate in May 2011 from George Mason University with a B.S. in International Politics and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies.  Abby has spent much of her academic career developing an understanding of the need for compromise and coordination in achieving peace on a global level.  She has been active in several social justice organizations on campus and at a hands-on-level, including the International Justice Mission and STAND (the campus branch of Save Darfur.)  She also mentored a family of refugees from Gabon through the International Rescue Committee.  Abby’s youthful dedication to global peace makes her a great fit for Peace X Peace.  She believes strongly in the importance and necessity of peace starting with women.

To reach Mrs. Smith, email abby@peacexpeace.org.

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Najwa Saad, Advisor - Connection Point

Najwa Saad is a marketing and business development professional. She managed international sales partnerships for a Fortune100 firm and several startup companies, developing distribution channels around the world.  In prior roles, she monitored foreign policy-related legislation for an advocacy organization and published dozens of monthly feature articles for its subscription news service, the Middle East Policy and Research Corporation and various other publications. As a special correspondent for the U.S. State Department, she interviewed leading figures and wrote about a broad range of topics for online broadcast to U.S. embassies.

Najwa volunteered with NGOs in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Ramallah teaching English and Marketing and co-produced footage for an independent documentary about Israelis and Palestinians pursuing peace. She is passionately interested in fostering opportunities for the advancement of women, cross-cultural communication and public diplomacy.  In 2008, she founded the Chez Nous Reston Salon, an ongoing monthly dinner and discussion forum featuring distinguished speakers in the arts, humanities and sciences. Najwa graduated with a degree in Political Science and French from Wellesley College and an MS in Management from Marymount University.

To reach Ms. Saad, email: najwa@peacexpeace.org.