Vice President
Mike Lekson
Michael Lekson is the Institute's Vice President for International Programs, Education and Training Center. He joined the Institute in 2003 as a program officer following a 26-year career in the Department of State. His final position there was deputy assistant secretary of state for arms control, overseeing all multilateral arms control negotiations and treaty implementation, for which he received the Secretary's Distinguished Service Award.
Program Officers
- Linda Bishai
Linda Bishai is a Senior Program Officer. Before joining the Institute in August 2005 she was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Towson University where she taught international relations and international law. Her research interests are identity and ethnic politics, international law and international relations. She is responsible for the Institute's education programming in Sudan and Afghanistan.
- Keith Bowen
Keith Bowen is a Senior Program Officer. In this capacity, he manages programs and conducts live training in conflict resolution skills, while developing and writing courses for USIP’s online education and training program. He is responsible for the award-winning "Iraq Experience" DVD and the on-line conflict analysis course. Currently he is developing online courses on negotiation, mediation, and cross-cultural communication.
- Ronald "Skip" Cole
Ronald "Skip" Cole is a Senior Program Officer. He joined the Institute in February 2006 as a Program Officer. Prior to joining the Institute, he worked for a variety of private sector firms, including Arthur Andersen, and served as a reactor operator onboard a fast attack submarine. He has a Masters in Biophysics and Computational Biology and an MBA.
- Ted Feifer
Theodore Feifer is a Senior Program Officer and Deputy Director of the International Programs, Education and Training Center. He joined the Institute in 2000 following a 26-year career in the Foreign Service. He specialized in the Arab-Israeli peace process, serving two assignments at the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv and as an adviser to the special Middle East coordinator.
- Noor Kirdar
Noor Kirdar is a Senior Program Officer. She joined the Institute in 2004 as a Program Specialist, and worked on programs focused on training Senior Iraqi officials. She is involved in coordinating live training programs as well as developing the distance learning online courses. She is also involved in establishing SENSE capablities in Iraq and Poland.
- Maria Jessop-Mandel
Maria Jessop-Mandel joined the Institute in late 2007 as a Program Officer and is working on education and training programs for Iraq. She has a decade of experience as a mediator, conflict resolution trainer, and facilitator. Most recently, Jessop managed the office of American University's Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace.
- Mary Hope Schwoebel
Mary Hope Schwoebel joined the Institute in 2008 as a Program Officer. She has over 25 years experience training multilateral and non-governmental organizations in conflict management, disaster management, humanitarianism, governance, peacebuilding and development. She has a Masters in non-formal education for international development and a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She works on the Institute's Colombia, Nigeria, and Kashmir programs.
- Nina Sughrue
Nina Sughrue joined the Institute in 2004 as a Program Officer. She is currently a Senior Program Officer. She is involved in coordinating
training programs that help government officials, military and police personnel,
representatives from various international organizations, and nongovernmental
employees improve their conflict management skills.
- Jacki Wilson
Jacqueline H. Wilson is a Senior Program Officer. She joined the Institute with over 20 years of service in the U.S. military and continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She holds the rank of lieutenant colonel and is the Reserve Air Attache to Egypt. Her military career has included assignments in analysis, training, and counter terrorism.
Program Assistants
- Jeff Krentel joined the institute in 2007. Currently, he supports logistical and program planning for training workshops in Africa and Afghanistan. He is currently working on an MS in Peace Operations Policy at George Mason University.
- Chris Sfetsios joined the Institute in 2007 after earning a BA in International Relations at the American College of Thessaloniki, Greece. His work primarily focuses on logistical and program planning for education and training workshops taking place in Iraq.
- Anil Varghese joined the institute in 2007. He is currently working on a MS in Peace Operations Policy at George Mason University.
Research Assistants
- Angie Elliott-Koene provides research support for the distance learning courses as well as to the Program Officers' overseas work. Angie is a candidate for
an MS in Peace Operations from George Mason University's School of Public Policy.
- Eve Magi provides assistance for the distance learning courses. Eve is a candidate for an MA in International Education and Human Development from George Washington University and an MA candidate in School Management from University of Tartu.
- Chandrima Das provides research support for distance learning courses. Chandrima is a candidate for
an MS in Peace Operations from George Mason University's School of Public Policy.
