Search for Common Ground Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Search for Common Ground has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, and council leadership.

Driven by a commitment to peace, Search for Common Ground transforms how societies address disputes by replacing adversarial approaches with collaborative problem-solving and dialogue, fostering long-term resilience to violence.

Leadership Roles at Search for Common Ground

  • Chief Executive Officer - Shamil Idriss
  • President's Leadership Council - Asiya Mohammed
  • Member President's Leadership Council - Susan Gibson
  • Member of the President's Leadership Council - Mark Eckhardt
  • President's Leadership Council Member - David Creekmore
  • Chief of Staff - Rebecca Besant
  • Shamil Idriss - Chief Executive Officer

    Shamil Idriss, the Chief Executive Officer at Search for Common Ground, directs the organization's global strategy and operational execution. Idriss guides the implementation of peacebuilding initiatives across conflictaffected regions, ensuring that programs effectively replace adversarial approaches with collaborative problem-solving. Overseeing a diverse portfolio of mediation, facilitation, and community organizing efforts, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the organization's mission to build long-term resilience to violence. This leadership role involves fostering partnerships with local actors and driving innovation in practical, locally rooted peacebuilding. By championing the use of cultural programming, including TV series and radio dramas, Shamil Idriss enhances community understanding of differences and promotes shared interests, directly impacting the organization's market position as a leading innovator in the field.
    Shamil Idriss

    Asiya Mohammed - President's Leadership Council

    Asiya Mohammed, the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, contributes strategic insights and guidance to the organization's overarching mission. Mohammed's involvement ensures that the council's collective expertise informs the transformation of how societies address disputes, fostering collaborative problem-solving. This position involves advising on the development and implementation of peacebuilding initiatives, particularly those focused on replacing adversarial approaches with dialogue. By leveraging extensive experience, Asiya Mohammed supports Search for Common Ground's efforts to build long-term resilience to violence in conflictaffected regions. The council's input, facilitated by Mohammed, reinforces the organization's standing as a leading innovator in practical, locally rooted peacebuilding.

    Susan Gibson - Member President's Leadership Council

    Susan Gibson, the Member President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, provides critical advisory support to the organization's global peacebuilding efforts. Gibson's role involves contributing to strategic discussions that guide the transformation of how societies address disputes, promoting collaborative problem-solving over adversarial methods. This position ensures that the organization's wide toolbox, ranging from mediation to media initiatives, effectively supports communities in understanding differences and acting on shared interests. By offering seasoned perspectives, Susan Gibson enhances Search for Common Ground's capacity to build long-term resilience to violence in conflictaffected regions. The council's collective wisdom, bolstered by Gibson's participation, reinforces the organization's innovative approach to peacebuilding.

    Mark Eckhardt - Member of the President's Leadership Council

    Mark Eckhardt, the Member of the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, offers strategic counsel to advance the organization's peacebuilding objectives. Eckhardt's contributions are vital in shaping how societies address disputes, advocating for collaborative problem-solving and dialogue as core tenets. This role involves advising on the effective deployment of diverse peacebuilding tools, including mediation and cultural programming, to foster understanding and resilience. By drawing on extensive experience, Mark Eckhardt supports Search for Common Ground's mission to replace adversarial approaches with sustainable solutions in conflictaffected regions. The council's strategic direction, influenced by Eckhardt, solidifies the organization's reputation as a leader in practical, locally rooted peacebuilding.

    David Creekmore - President's Leadership Council Member

    David Creekmore, the President's Leadership Council Member at Search for Common Ground, provides strategic oversight and guidance to the organization's global peacebuilding initiatives. Creekmore's expertise informs the transformation of how societies address disputes, championing collaborative problem-solving and dialogue. This position involves advising on the implementation of programs designed to build long-term resilience to violence in conflictaffected regions. By contributing to the strategic direction, David Creekmore ensures that Search for Common Ground effectively partners with local actors to replace adversarial approaches. The council's collective impact, strengthened by Creekmore's involvement, reinforces the organization's innovative and locally rooted approach to peacebuilding.
    David Creekmore

    Rebecca Besant - Chief of Staff

    Rebecca Besant, the Chief of Staff at Search for Common Ground, manages critical operational functions and supports the strategic direction set by the Chief Executive Officer. Besant ensures seamless execution of peacebuilding programs by coordinating efforts across various departments and facilitating communication between leadership and field teams. Overseeing internal processes, the Chief of Staff drives efficiency and effectiveness in the organization's global operations, particularly in conflictaffected regions. This role involves developing and implementing organizational policies that support collaborative problem-solving and dialogue. By managing key projects and initiatives, Rebecca Besant directly contributes to Search for Common Ground's ability to transform how societies address disputes and build long-term resilience to violence.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Search for Common Ground Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Search for Common Ground?
    Search for Common Ground is led by Shamil Idriss (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Asiya Mohammed (President's Leadership Council) and Susan Gibson (Member President's Leadership Council).
    Who is part of Search for Common Ground’s executive team?
    The executive team of Search for Common Ground includes leaders such as Shamil Idriss (Chief Executive Officer), Asiya Mohammed (President's Leadership Council), Susan Gibson (Member President's Leadership Council) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Search for Common Ground have?
    Search for Common Ground has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Search for Common Ground’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Search for Common Ground includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President's Leadership Council, Member President's Leadership Council, Member of the President's Leadership Council, President's Leadership Council Member.