OUR BOARD:
Associate Dean Julie Shedd, Ph.D.
(Chair)
Dr. Shedd is currently the Associate Dean at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University and teaches both introductory courses and courses on terrorism, extremism, global conflicts, and ideologies. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a BA in Political Science and Psychology from George Washington University. Her research includes work on the relationship of media to conflict, specifically focused on media coverage of terrorism and the role of women in political violence. She has shepherded the Carter School’s efforts to increase distance education and overseen a wide range of innovations in experiential and service learning. She served as the academic project manager for the development of the school’s Point of View International Retreat and Research Center.
Jim Hoch
(Vice chair)
Jim is a founding partner of Tailwind Capital, a New York City private equity firm. He has been actively involved in the private equity business for more than 30 years, and has served on the boards of over 25 public and private companies. Prior to joining Tailwind, Jim was Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Jim has been involved supporting a number of higher educational institutions, including through the the Parents’ Committees at Williams College and Duke University, support of Concordia College in Bronxville and the Concordia Conservatory. Jim helped organize Al Amana International and currently serves as the organization’s Chairman. Jim has been a member of the Reformed Church of Bronxville for over 25 years, where he currently serves as an Elder and the Treasurer.
Dr. Viji George
Dr. Viji George is President Emeritus, Concordia College and President, George and Associates Consulting. Dr. George has an intimate understanding of complex organizations and has a proven track record as fundraiser for causes he is passionate about. Over the years, he has been interested in issues related to conflicts originating from religious animosity and misunderstanding and seeking ways to bringing peace between conflicted communities. He has traveled and worked extensively around the world and feels that the missional intent of MHCR is much needed at a time like this. Dr. George also serves on other non-profit boards where he lends his time and expertise. He is married to Janet and has two daughters, Sarah and Emilie.
Doug Leonard
Rev. Douglas Leonard is the director of the World Council of Church's UN Office where he serves as the WCC’s representative to the UN. He covers ten peace processes in countries where armed groups and governments are negotiating with support from church leaders. Rev. Leonard coordinates between the church leaders and the UN Security Council, UNDPPA regarding these processes. He serves as the WCC liaison to the World Bank and IMF and oversees WCC engagement in Latin America. Rev. Leonard has served as the director of global mission for the Reformed Church in America and as the executive director of Al Amana Centre, a center for the study of global Muslim-Christian relations and diplomacy based in the Sultanate of Oman. Leonard serves as special editor of The Muslim World. Rev. Leonard is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America and received his MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Professor karina korostelina, Ph.d.
Karina V. Korostelina is a Professor and Director of the Program on Prevention of Mass Violence and the Program on History, Memory, and Conflict at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, GMU. Professor Korostelina is a social psychologist whose work focuses on social identity and dynamics of identity and power in protracted social conflicts. Within this theoretical framework, she conducts research in several areas: (1) social identity and identity-based conflicts, including mass violence and civilian devastation, the nation-building processes, conflict resolution and peacebuilding in post-conflict societies; (2) the role of history in conflict and post-conflict societies and reconciliation; and (3) resilience in communities affected by chronic conflict and violence and critical infrastructure resilience.
Professor Daniel Rothbart,Ph.D.
Daniel Rothbart is professor of conflict analysis and resolution at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. He specialized in a wide range of topics: prevention of mass violence, ethnic conflicts, power and conflict, the ethics of conflict resolution, civilians in war and the psycho-politics of conflict. He served as chair of the Sudan Task group, which was an organization seeking peace in Sudan. He currently serves as co-director of the Program on Prevention of Mass Violence. Professor Rothbart’s academic writings include more than fifty articles and chapters in scholarly journals and books. Among his ten authored or edited books, his recent publications include the following books: State Domination and the Psycho-Politics of Conflict (2019); Systemic Humiliation in America: Fighting for Dignity within systems of Degradation (2018). He is currently exploring the intersection of power and the mind as the sources of conflict and for conflict resolution. Professor Rothbart received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Washington University, St. Louis, and taught in the department of philosophy at GMU. He also held positions as visiting research scholar at Linacre College, Oxford, University of Cambridge and Dartmouth College.
FOUNDATION PARTNERS
Maria Seniw,CFRE
(George mason University foundation)
Maria Seniw, CFRE is the Director of Development for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, overseeing philanthropy and alumni relations for the school. In her role, Maria works closely with the Dean of the Carter School and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations to create a sustainable fundraising program that allows for multiple points of entry and engagement. With over 10 years of experience in front-line fundraising, strategic planning, alumni relations, and development operations, Maria is a proud steward of relationships with alumni and partners most committed the School’s success.
Maria holds a BA in government and international politics from George Mason University. In 2019, CFRE International named Maria as a Certified Fund Raising Executive.