Search for Common Ground Executive and Leadership Team

Shamil Idriss, the Chief Executive Officer at Search for Common Ground, directs the organization's global strategy and operational framework. Overseeing all programmatic initiatives, Idriss ensures alignment with the core mission of transforming how societies address disputes. This leadership involves guiding the organization's expansion into conflictaffected regions, fostering partnerships with local actors to replace adversarial approaches with collaborative problem-solving. By championing innovative peacebuilding methodologies, including mediation, facilitation, and cultural programming, Shamil Idriss drives the organization's impact in building long-term resilience to violence. The Chief Executive Officer's role is central to maintaining Search for Common Ground's position as a leading innovator in practical, locally rooted peacebuilding efforts worldwide.

Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta, the Chief Operating Officer, FHI 360 at Search for Common Ground, oversees the operational infrastructure supporting global peacebuilding efforts. This leadership position involves managing the complex logistics and administrative functions necessary for implementing programs in conflictaffected regions, ensuring that collaborative problem-solving and dialogue initiatives are effectively deployed. Kennedy-Iraheta's responsibilities include optimizing resource management and operational efficiency to maximize the organization's impact in replacing adversarial approaches with sustainable peacebuilding practices. By ensuring robust operational support, Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta enables Search for Common Ground to foster community understanding and build long-term resilience to violence across its diverse program areas.

Asiya Mohammed, the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, contributes strategic guidance to the organization's overarching mission. This advisory role involves providing critical insights into peacebuilding methodologies and the transformation of conflict resolution approaches. Mohammed's input supports the organization's efforts to partner with local actors and replace adversarial, zero-sum approaches with collaborative problem-solving and dialogue. By engaging with the President's Leadership Council, Asiya Mohammed helps to shape strategies that foster community understanding and build long-term resilience to violence, reinforcing Search for Common Ground's position as a leader in practical peacebuilding.

Mark Eckhardt, a Member of the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, provides expert counsel on advancing the organization's peacebuilding objectives. This role focuses on advising on strategies that transform how societies address disputes, particularly in conflictaffected regions. Eckhardt's contributions support the implementation of collaborative problem-solving and dialogue initiatives, aiming to replace adversarial methods. By leveraging extensive experience, Mark Eckhardt aids Search for Common Ground in strengthening community resilience to violence and fostering deeper understanding among diverse groups, thereby enhancing the organization's global impact.

David Creekmore, a President's Leadership Council Member at Search for Common Ground, offers strategic direction to enhance the organization's peacebuilding impact. This position involves advising on the transformation of conflict dynamics and the promotion of collaborative problem-solving across conflictaffected regions. Creekmore's expertise supports Search for Common Ground's partnerships with local actors, aiming to move beyond adversarial approaches towards sustainable dialogue. By contributing to the council's deliberations, David Creekmore helps to strengthen the organization's capacity to build long-term resilience to violence and foster mutual understanding within communities worldwide.

Susan Gibson, a Member President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, contributes vital strategic insights to the organization's peacebuilding mission. This role involves advising on methods to transform conflict resolution and foster collaborative problem-solving in diverse, conflictaffected environments. Gibson's guidance supports Search for Common Ground's commitment to replacing adversarial approaches with dialogue and community organizing. By participating in the President's Leadership Council, Susan Gibson helps to reinforce the organization's capacity to build long-term resilience to violence and promote understanding among disparate groups globally.

Rebecca Besant, the Chief of Staff at Search for Common Ground, provides direct strategic support to the Chief Executive Officer and manages critical organizational initiatives. Coordinating cross-departmental efforts, Besant ensures seamless execution of the organization's peacebuilding agenda across diverse conflictaffected regions. This role involves facilitating communication between leadership and operational teams, optimizing resource allocation, and driving the implementation of new programs that replace adversarial approaches with collaborative problem-solving. By overseeing key projects and ensuring operational efficiency, Rebecca Besant directly contributes to Search for Common Ground's mission of building long-term resilience to violence and fostering understanding of differences within communities.