OUR TEAM
The MHCR family comprises not only its student-employees and Carter School faculty but everyone dedicated to “breaking the barriers that separate people… to overcome differences and heal wounds of the past.” Below, you can learn more about and connect with our current staff.
LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION
ANTTI PENTIKÄINEN
Director & PROFESSOR of practice
Alongside leading MHCR, Antti (he/him) is working as a visiting scholar at the US Institute for Peace. Before his work at MHCR, Antti established the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers with the U.N. (2015-2019) while also serving as the special envoy for Finland’s Prime Minister on the Refugee Crisis (2015-2019) as well as advisor to the U.N. Assistant Secretary-General on Prevention of Genocide (2017).
For over a decade, Antti led the efforts of Finn Church Aid (2004-2015) as its executive director, and assumed multiple leadership positions including Special Advisor for President Ahtisaari, director at Crisis Management Initiative (2000-2004) and Religions for Peace (2010-2011). Antti holds experience in peace processes and reconciliation in Somalia, South Sudan and Libya. His efforts now focus on developing support mechanisms to connect insider reconcilers with state level political processes.
ROWDA OLAD
Associate Director & Insider Reconciler Fellow
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Rowda Olad (she/her) is the Associate Director for the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation and Ph.D. student at George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. In her role as Associate Director of MHCR, Rowda supports the Director in overseeing MHCR's research, practice, and administrative initiatives. Rowda is a psychotherapist and founder of Maandeeq Mental Health Without Borders. Rowda leads psych-educational trainings for government institutions and regional leaders in Somalia and has designed and implemented Psychological Rehabilitation Programs for high risk inmates and defectors. She has also been working with key actors throughout Somalia in elevating the mental health and psychological rehabilitations within the context of state building, political stability, social healing.
RESEARCH (TRANSFORMATION & RECONCILIATION)
& PRACTICE PROGRAMS
LEO HYLTON
Transformation & Reconciliation Lab Manager
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Leo Hylton (he/him) is a PhD student at George Mason University’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, currently incarcerated in Maine State Prison. His education and work are based in trauma-informed, healing-centered Restorative Justice practices, with a vision toward an abolitionist future. To that end, he is working with Think Peace Learning & Support Hub as a Restorative Justice Consultant in support of transitional justice work, toward truth telling, racial healing, and reconciliation. Leo is also a core organizer of the Carter School Working Group on Forgiveness and Reconciliation, creating spaces of co-learning, growth, and trauma healing in the context of forgiveness and reconciliation. In addition to his work and practice, he is also a columnist for the The Bollard (formerly Mainer), where he writes a monthly column to raise public consciousness around the existence and power of humanity in carceral spaces.
HANNAH KHAN
IMPACT COORDINATOR
College of Humanities and Social Science, B.S. Sociology
Hannah Khan (she/her) is a Research Manager at MHCR, combining her interests in Sociology, Marketing, and Forensic Psychology to explore the dynamics of conflict and peacebuilding. Beyond her work at MHCR, she is the Treasurer for the George Mason chapter of Humanity First, where she helps support disaster relief and emergency aid efforts. With experience in conducting interviews and presenting research, Hannah is passionate about understanding the cultural and psychological aspects of reconciliation and community resilience.
KENZIE ZANDER
HEALING-CENTERED RESEARCH ASSISTANT
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, B.S. Psychology
Kenzie (she/her) is an undergraduate research assistant working with MHCR to expand her studies in psychology. She has an interest in the complexity of the human mind and the trauma it endures. She is currently majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, While at MHCR, Kenzie hopes to combine her forensic knowledge with her work as a HCPR research assistant to help break cycles of violence and trauma. After graduating, she plans to continue her education with a Master's and PhD, while continuing to focus on healing trauma through psychology and peacebuilding practices.
AVA PARKER
HEALING-CENTERED RESEARCH ASSISTANT
College of Science, B.S. Neuroscience
Ava (She/Her) is an undergraduate research assistant working with MHCR to further her studies in Neuroscience. Ava is a member of George Mason University’s nationally ranked Forensics team, where she uses her skills in public speaking and speech writing as a platform for advocacy. After spending her 2024 spring semester abroad in Madrid, Spain at the Charles III University of Madrid (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Ava continues to work towards her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in French through the College of Science. While she works with MHCR, to integrate her study of the brain with an understanding of how to break the cycle of violence and the impact of peace and conflict on the mind.
BROOKS MUNNS
INSIDER RECONCILER ASSISTANT
College of Public Health, B.S. Community Health
Brooks (He/Him) is an undergraduate research assistant working with MHCR to further his studies in Community Health. Before working at MHCR, he served as a peer educator through the ADL’s No Place for Hate program and as a committee head at his local chapter of Key Club. Currently, he is working toward his bachelor’s degree in Community Health at the GMU College of Public Health. While he works with MHCR, he hopes to apply community health-based approaches to understanding the impacts of conflict and peace on the body, mind, and community.
DR. NICHOLAS SHERWOOD
Insider reconciler research lead
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution (Alum)
Nicholas (Nick) Sherwood (he/him) took his B.A. (psychology and political science) from Christopher Newport University and his M.A. (anthropology of peace and human rights) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a Ph.D. candidate in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Prior to this role, Nick was the Former Associate Director (from 2020-2023).
IMPACT & PRACTICE
DEBORAH SACHARE
impact manager
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Deborah Sachare (she/her) is the Impact Manager for the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation and Ph.D. student at George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. In her role as Impact Manager, Deborah provides support to the Impact team and acts as a research coordinator on the Healing-Centered Insider Reconciler research. Deborah earned her master's degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University and bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy from Barnard College. Prior to joining MHCR, she taught at Columbia University, participated in research through the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, and facilitated a Conflict Management and Mitigation grant through JDC-Israel from USAID West Bank/Gaza and the U.S. Embassy in Israel.
MORGAN COLTRAIN
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
College of Engineering & Computing; BS Mechanical Engineering, Concentration in Aerospace Engineering
Morgan (she/they) is a Funding and Development Assistant at MHCR with a community and alumni outreach, and military, background. While working on her Bachelor’s, Morgan is the Treasurer of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers chapter, a Mechanical Engineering Student Advisory Board member, and a summer intern with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA. While working with MHCR, she hopes to build greater renown for the centre and deepen her understanding of the military's role in reconciliation, as well as its impact on peace and conflict.
AUDREY PANEJA
COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
College of Business, B.S. Finance
Audrey Paneja (she/her) is a student at George Mason University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance. With a passion for marketing and communications, Audrey brings a creative edge to her academic and professional endeavors. She has a strong background in social media management, content creation, and digital marketing, along with a global perspective shaped by her international experience. Audrey is committed to using her skills to drive positive change and is actively involved in various community initiatives that promote cultural awareness and advocacy.