American University

University of Connecticut

W.T. Clarke High School

Advocacy and Strategy Consultant

Teaching graduate courses on the prevention of mass atrocities and international law in the School of Foreign Service.

Georgetown University

Adjunct Professor

Coordinating the Task Force on Defeating Disinformation Attacks on U.S. Democracy, a joint project of the McCain Institute and the Cronkite School.

McCain Institute

Democracy and Human Rights Fellow

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University

Senior Fellow with The Raphaël Lemkin Genocide Prevention Program

I teach courses on genocide studies and human rights. My courses focus on the UN system, mass atrocities prevention, Responsibility to Protect, peacekeeping, transitional justice, civil society and NGOs, and advocacy. 

Teaching about these issues in today's climate is a delicate balance of depressing reality and hopeful optimism. I ensure my students leave my class clear-eyed about the challenges of preventing mass atrocities and promoting human rights while inspiring them to believe they can make a difference.

Adjunct Faculty

Advocate to members of Congress, State Department, USAID, and funders on conflict-specific issues, peacebuilding, and mass atrocities prevention. Coordinate DC-fly-in advocacy meetings for civil society organizations. Provide expert advocacy and strategy advice for American, South Sudanese, Sudanese, and Congolese civil society organizations to strengthen their US advocacy and organizing efforts. Lead organization strategic planning and brand design including website, digital, and print materials.

Regularly speak at conferences, schools, and other events on atrocities prevention, human rights, and advocacy. Write and publish op-eds and blog posts on conflict and atrocities prevention, peacebuilding, and other issues.

Self-Employed

Lead the Institute’s policy, advocacy, and programs focused on advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the US and globally in close collaboration with Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues.

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Director of Policy and Programs

Directed the campaign-winning policy platform for a Congressional candidate in New York.

Dan Goldman for New York

Policy Director

• Direct Congressional and grassroots advocacy efforts focused on defending and strengthening democracy. 
• Mobilize, support, and train a nationwide grassroots network of advocates across all 435 Congressional districts.
• Plan and lead DC-fly-ins, conferences, trainings, and hundreds of successful hill-day lobby meetings.  
• Project manage 21 state leaders, 12 staff, interns, and consultants on special projects and events. 
• Supervise and hire staff, consultants, contractors, state-leaders, and interns at headquarters and across the country.
• Established new engagement tools and programs to improve the effectiveness of our grassroots advocacy efforts.
• Spearheaded strategic rebranding including developing a new website, messaging, digital, and print materials.

Stand Up Republic

Advocacy Director

Oversee the creation and execution of advocacy and awareness campaigns focused on peace, security, and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Support the creation and lead in the distribution of our digital graphic novel for peace, a revolutionary education, awareness, and advocacy tool that is being distributed globally.

Socent Studios

Advocacy and Campaigns Director

Coalition of Advocates for South Sudan

Board Member and Strategic Advisor

Direct and implement all advocacy, policy, and grant-making programs for a genocide and mass atrocities prevention organization focused primarily on Sudan, South Sudan, and the Great Lakes Region. Serve as the policy expert and primary public speaker for JWW.

Jewish World Watch

Director of Advocacy and Programs

•	Served as the in-country policy and advocacy technical advisor for an international conflict prevention organization. Advised the country team, regional, and international staff on policy priorities and conflict updates. 
•	Developed a policy and 3-year advocacy strategy for the South Sudan country program. Coordinated program and policy priorities directly with national and international organizations and collaborated with the South Sudan NGO forum. 
•	Researched issues relating to conflict dynamics, security sector reform, and conflict sensitive development. Wrote publications to inform key stakeholders, donors, government officials, and partner organizations.
•	Assisted in the development of research methodologies and training of regional program coordinators.

Saferworld

Policy and Advocacy Consultant

•	Led the DC office’s policy and advocacy work on Sudan and South Sudan. 
•	As part of a 2-person office, worked collaboratively to develop the advocacy strategy for the U.S. office. 
•	Worked together on U.S.-based advocacy efforts to engage members of Congress, State Department, USAID, and National Security Council, on upstream conflict prevention, human rights, atrocities prevention, Post-2015 Agenda, and country specific engagement.
•	Developed policy memos, talking points, one-pagers, and blog posts for public distribution and key meetings. Assisted in drafting and editing in-depth policy briefs.
•	Hosted events and coordinated with likeminded NGOs on policy priorities and joint projects.

Program Assistant

• Wrote policy briefs, talking points, letters, and background notes for State Department principals
• Assisted the South Sudan desk officer on special projects including a major multinational donor meeting
• Supported Darfur Team on conflict mapping project
• Coordinated high-level meetings and schedules of US and UN officials including the Special Representative of UN Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan
• Liaised with the South Sudanese Embassy for visa requests and other consular affairs

U.S. Department of State

Intern - Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan

• Coordinated and supervised three week international summer program in Rwanda for American University undergraduate and graduate students which focused on Rwanda’s government and community level approaches to healing and reconciliation as well as cross-cultural engagement
• Facilitated pre-trip trainings and reflection discussions during the trip
• Managed program budget and payments to partners on-the-ground

Alternative Break Leader

Human Rights Council Fellow

Amnesty International USA

Human Rights Education Service Corps Fellow

• Engaged with Members of Congress on issues related to genocide and mass atrocities prevention
• Developed educational programs for students, community groups, and conference attendees 
• Trained new activists on key organizing and advocacy skills
• Created fact sheets, talking points, and guides for activists
• Coordinated conference calls and developed social media presence

Carl Wilkens Fellowship

Advisory Board Member

Liquidnet Family High School

Teacher

Jewish Service Corps Fellow

Researched, planed and scheduled activities and destinations for six week international travel program
Lead 35 campers and three staff on a six-week international travel program
Managed travel program budget and expenses
Create, implement and supervise various programs and special events for children and teens
Hire and manage part-time and seasonal staff in a variety of programs and settings
Produce monthly newsletter, correspondences to program participants, and promotional materials

Mid-Island Y JCC

Program Supervisor

Developed human rights educational materials to be used by 5,000+ youth throughout Rwanda
Mobilized American citizens to donate funds to a youth club through blog entries and field updates 
Provided guidance and technical support to youth club members in the creation of the first Never Again Magazine
Held discussions with Rwandan youth about human rights and human rights issues

Never Again Rwanda

Human Rights Intern

Designed and created fact sheets and educational handouts for organizers, constituents and presidential candidates on target issues such as genocide in Darfur, HIV/AIDS and education for all
Researched legislation, UN resolutions, advocacy &quot;asks&quot; of likeminded NGOs, and presidential candidates' positions and voting records on key issues
Maintained communication with Organizers, volunteers and constituents through listservs, direct e-mails and phone
Assisted in training 10 field organizers for Organizing for Global Justice project
Analyzed success of project goals by managing databases in Excel and Salesforce.com

American Jewish World Service

Advocacy Consultant

Evaluated letters of inquiry and project proposals from organizations and individuals to determine if potential projects fit within grant-making guidelines
Liaised with over 400 grantees to ensure all inquiries concerning grant agreements were answered
Processed payments for grantees in 36 countries and consulted with banks about transfers
Maintained and updated file systems, organized meetings and travel arrangements and performed other administrative tasks as necessary

Mike Brand