Search for Common Ground Executive and Leadership Team

Shamil Idriss, the Chief Executive Officer at Search for Common Ground, directs the global strategic vision for the worlds largest dedicated peacebuilding organization. Overseeing international operations, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that mediation and community organizing efforts effectively replace zero-sum approaches with collaborative dialogue. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with local actors to build long-term resilience against violence in conflict-affected regions. By aligning organizational resources with the mission of transforming how societies address disputes, Shamil Idriss drives the expansion of media initiatives and cultural programming. The Chief Executive Officer maintains high-level engagement with global stakeholders to secure the necessary support for large-scale peacebuilding projects. Through this focused approach, the organization achieves measurable impact in diverse geopolitical landscapes, fostering stability and understanding where adversarial tensions previously dominated the social fabric.

Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta, the Chief Operating Officer, FHI 360 at Search for Common Ground, manages the logistical frameworks necessary for large-scale humanitarian and peacebuilding operations. Overseeing the implementation of complex field programs, the Chief Operating Officer, FHI 360 ensures that local actors receive the support required to facilitate dialogue and community organizing. This leadership role involves integrating operational best practices to enhance the effectiveness of media initiatives and cultural programming in volatile environments. By refining the delivery of services, Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta supports the organization in building long-term resilience against violence. The Chief Operating Officer, FHI 360 coordinates with regional directors to ensure that field activities remain consistent with the overarching mission of replacing zero-sum dynamics with collaborative solutions. Through meticulous management of operational scale, the Chief Operating Officer, FHI 360 secures the stability of programs that directly impact the lives of communities navigating deep-seated societal disputes.

David Creekmore, the President's Leadership Council Member at Search for Common Ground, provides strategic guidance to advance the mission of transforming conflict through collaborative problem-solving. Advising on the expansion of media initiatives, the President's Leadership Council Member helps shape the organization's approach to cultural programming in conflict-affected regions. This role involves evaluating the effectiveness of mediation and facilitation efforts to ensure alignment with the goal of building long-term resilience. By leveraging deep industry expertise, David Creekmore supports the leadership team in navigating complex geopolitical challenges. The President's Leadership Council Member contributes to the development of sustainable funding models that allow the organization to maintain its status as a leading innovator in practical peacebuilding. Through active participation in high-level strategy sessions, the President's Leadership Council Member ensures that the organization remains focused on replacing adversarial approaches with dialogue, ultimately fostering shared interests and stability across diverse global communities.

Rafiq Masri, the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, contributes to the strategic direction of the organization's peacebuilding efforts. Focusing on the development of collaborative dialogue frameworks, the President's Leadership Council member assists in refining the methods used to address disputes in conflict-affected regions. This role involves analyzing the impact of community organizing and media initiatives to ensure they effectively replace zero-sum approaches with shared problem-solving. By providing critical insights into regional dynamics, Rafiq Masri supports the organization in its mission to build long-term resilience against violence. The President's Leadership Council member works with other leaders to ensure that programs remain locally rooted and practically oriented. Through this engagement, the President's Leadership Council member helps the organization maintain its position as a leader in the field, ensuring that all initiatives contribute to the overarching goal of fostering understanding and cooperation in societies facing significant social divisions.

Susan Gibson, the Member President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, provides essential oversight and strategic advice to support the organization's peacebuilding mission. Focusing on the integration of media initiatives and cultural programming, the Member President's Leadership Council ensures that these tools effectively promote dialogue in conflict-affected regions. This role involves assessing the efficacy of mediation strategies to replace adversarial dynamics with collaborative problem-solving. By offering guidance on organizational growth, Susan Gibson helps the organization scale its impact in diverse markets. The Member President's Leadership Council collaborates with the executive team to ensure that all programs remain aligned with the goal of building long-term resilience. Through this strategic involvement, the Member President's Leadership Council supports the organization in its efforts to transform how societies address disputes, ultimately contributing to a more stable and cooperative global environment where shared interests take precedence over historical grievances.

Asiya Mohammed, the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, advises on the implementation of community-based peacebuilding strategies. Focusing on the empowerment of local actors, the President's Leadership Council member ensures that mediation and facilitation efforts effectively replace adversarial approaches with collaborative dialogue. This role involves evaluating the success of programs in conflict-affected regions to ensure they build long-term resilience against violence. By providing strategic input on the organization's media initiatives, Asiya Mohammed helps refine the messaging used to promote shared interests. The President's Leadership Council member works closely with the leadership team to ensure that all activities remain consistent with the mission of transforming societal disputes. Through this dedicated involvement, the President's Leadership Council member supports the organization in its efforts to remain a leading innovator in practical peacebuilding, ensuring that communities have the tools necessary to address differences and foster lasting social cohesion.

Mark Eckhardt, the Member of the President's Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, provides strategic support to advance the organization's mission of transforming conflict through collaborative problem-solving. Focusing on the scalability of mediation and community organizing efforts, the Member of the President's Leadership Council ensures that these programs effectively replace zero-sum approaches in conflict-affected regions. This role involves advising on the development of media initiatives that foster understanding and shared interests. By leveraging expertise in organizational strategy, Mark Eckhardt helps the leadership team navigate the complexities of global peacebuilding. The Member of the President's Leadership Council contributes to the development of long-term resilience strategies that allow the organization to maintain its impact in diverse geopolitical contexts. Through this active engagement, the Member of the President's Leadership Council ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of practical, locally rooted peacebuilding, ultimately driving progress toward more stable and cooperative societies.

Rebecca Besant, the Chief of Staff at Search for Common Ground, coordinates internal operations and facilitates communication across the executive leadership team. Managing the daily execution of organizational priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic initiatives align with the broader mission of replacing adversarial approaches with collaborative problem-solving. This role involves streamlining administrative processes to support peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected regions. By optimizing internal workflows, Rebecca Besant enables the organization to deploy resources efficiently toward media initiatives and community-based mediation programs. The Chief of Staff works closely with the Board and senior leadership to monitor progress on long-term resilience goals. Through rigorous oversight of operational functions, the Chief of Staff maintains the structural integrity required to sustain complex international programs, ultimately allowing the organization to focus on its core objective of transforming societal disputes into opportunities for shared progress.