Ad hoc contractor position supporting fundraising/development, programming, and research within a small-sized neuroscience-informed peacebuilding NGO.• Provides expert-level technical guidance on integrating evidence-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) best practices into peacebuilding programs (e.g., Native American communities in the US, the Horn of Africa)• Supports grant applications totaling over US$1,000,000 (e.g., MHPSS promotion of Native American communities… Show more Ad hoc contractor position supporting fundraising/development, programming, and research within a small-sized neuroscience-informed peacebuilding NGO.• Provides expert-level technical guidance on integrating evidence-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) best practices into peacebuilding programs (e.g., Native American communities in the US, the Horn of Africa)• Supports grant applications totaling over US$1,000,000 (e.g., MHPSS promotion of Native American communities, international conflict resolution in the Horn of Africa)• Creates and conducts participatory monitoring, evaluation, assessment, and learning plans for peacebuilding practice grants to ensure programming includes and centers the perspectives of local community members in all stages of grant cycles• Creates and implements a certificate program focusing on “insider reconciliation” to train conflict resolution practitioners on best practices to support post-conflict reconciliation in their own communities, integrating evidence-based insights focusing on MHPSS, neuroscience, international peacebuilding, and collaborating international institutions• Co-directs and co-authors a technical guidebook to inform international institutions and peacebuilding practitioners on integrating MHPSS principles with international development/state-building processes Show less

Ad hoc contractor position with Bonnaroo Works Fund responsible for supporting coordination and programming for two venues at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2024, a large-scale (approximately 100,000 attendees) annual music festival located in Manchester, TN, USA• Co-creates and co-implements an application process for partner organizations to apply for programming (e.g., public lectures and panels, workshops, music performances) on a stage and workshop space to educate attendees on… Show more Ad hoc contractor position with Bonnaroo Works Fund responsible for supporting coordination and programming for two venues at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2024, a large-scale (approximately 100,000 attendees) annual music festival located in Manchester, TN, USA• Co-creates and co-implements an application process for partner organizations to apply for programming (e.g., public lectures and panels, workshops, music performances) on a stage and workshop space to educate attendees on social impact causes (e.g., environmental protection and climate change, mental health and wellbeing, voter registration and mobilization, arts and culture, social justice, digital impact and technology) • Refines proposed programming ideas with nonprofit partners to ensure programming is accessible to festival attendees to increase the reach and impact of partner organizations’ mission and vision• Troubleshoots and collaborates with other team members to plan and implement logistics to bring over 100 representatives of partner organizations to the festival, including travel, lodging, food, access, credential advancement, and other troubleshooting Show less

Research faculty appointment providing full university affiliation and institutional access to author a scholarly monograph and related journal articles from my dissertation project• Creates and submits a book proposal to a top-tier university press to inform experts in the conflict resolution and mental health fields about resilience-building within conflict resolution practitioners• Manages a team of 5 researchers to and serves as lead author on a series of scholarly journal articles… Show more Research faculty appointment providing full university affiliation and institutional access to author a scholarly monograph and related journal articles from my dissertation project• Creates and submits a book proposal to a top-tier university press to inform experts in the conflict resolution and mental health fields about resilience-building within conflict resolution practitioners• Manages a team of 5 researchers to and serves as lead author on a series of scholarly journal articles focusing on the experiences of and supporting insider peacebuilders operating in conflict contexts utilizing qualitative-participatory action research methodologies Show less

Co-instructed the graduate-level course "Becoming Insider Reconcilers," a special topics fieldwork seminar designed for advanced graduate students to directly engage in peacebuilding practice as a graded part of class activities (9 enrolled graduate students)• Conducted all course preparation (e.g., course structure and flow, each meeting's topics and activities, assigned and vetted course readings, creation of assignments, and recruiting and securing guest speakers, high-level… Show more Co-instructed the graduate-level course "Becoming Insider Reconcilers," a special topics fieldwork seminar designed for advanced graduate students to directly engage in peacebuilding practice as a graded part of class activities (9 enrolled graduate students)• Conducted all course preparation (e.g., course structure and flow, each meeting's topics and activities, assigned and vetted course readings, creation of assignments, and recruiting and securing guest speakers, high-level peacebuilders leading mental health-focused reconciliation processes)• Created and instructed an applied learning unit on integrating mental health/psychosocial support (MHPSS), reconciliation process design and implementation, and participatory action research Show less

After finishing a 3-year Board term, serves as the technical expert advisor on content, processes, and evidence-based research related to wellbeing, mental health/psychosocial support & upscaling grassroots impact to strengthen ongoing programs.• Submitted, was awarded, and currently implements a $6,000 grant focusing on arts-based approaches to mental health promotion in Nashville, TN, Columbus, OH, and Washington, DC, to educate NGOs on best practices in these domains• Created and… Show more After finishing a 3-year Board term, serves as the technical expert advisor on content, processes, and evidence-based research related to wellbeing, mental health/psychosocial support & upscaling grassroots impact to strengthen ongoing programs.• Submitted, was awarded, and currently implements a $6,000 grant focusing on arts-based approaches to mental health promotion in Nashville, TN, Columbus, OH, and Washington, DC, to educate NGOs on best practices in these domains• Created and implements a participatory-qualitative monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan to ensure findings, successes, and challenges from a grant program are used for learning for the organization and published as a resource for external partners and collaborators Show less

In partnership with the Board of Directors, executively managed all aspects of a 501(c)3 nonprofit delivering mental health/psychosocial support programs and grassroots community-building to music festivals and live music events worldwide.• Along with other Board members, drafted and filed articles of incorporation to form a nonprofit organization and directed all aspects of the nonprofit, including executive direction, hiring and staffing, programming, and collaborations with other… Show more In partnership with the Board of Directors, executively managed all aspects of a 501(c)3 nonprofit delivering mental health/psychosocial support programs and grassroots community-building to music festivals and live music events worldwide.• Along with other Board members, drafted and filed articles of incorporation to form a nonprofit organization and directed all aspects of the nonprofit, including executive direction, hiring and staffing, programming, and collaborations with other institutions• Created and currently implements a community intervention focusing on workshops, panels, and experiential learning opportunities (facilitated 9 of these events) for participants to rehearse resilience-building, wellbeing-promotion, trauma healing, and interpersonal conflict resolution• Collaborated with executive-level decision-makers in the music and entertainment industry to deliver mental health promotion programming at local, regional, and national-level events• Recruited, trained, and supervised over 10 volunteers to represent the organization at music events around the US• Created and maintained productive collaborations with music and entertainment corporations, local businesses, and other non-governmental organizations• Provided scientific and technical assistance on public mental health to ensure all structures and programs of the NGO adhered to current evidence-based recommendations in the evidence-based literature Show less

Reporting to the Director, this role runs all day-to-day operations of a university-based research and practice center, focusing on supporting and upscaling peri- and post-conflict reconciliation processes after violent conflict, emphasizing trauma healing.LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION• Mentored and managed all Center staff (e.g., 12 doctoral, master, and bachelor student-employees)• Created and implemented a multi-year campaign designed to improve employee health and well-being… Show more Reporting to the Director, this role runs all day-to-day operations of a university-based research and practice center, focusing on supporting and upscaling peri- and post-conflict reconciliation processes after violent conflict, emphasizing trauma healing.LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION• Mentored and managed all Center staff (e.g., 12 doctoral, master, and bachelor student-employees)• Created and implemented a multi-year campaign designed to improve employee health and well-being in the workplace and professional development to establish a university-to-employment pipeline for student-employeesRESEARCH, MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING (MEL)• Designed and conducted 3 original qualitative research studies to support technical and operational practices for international peace, justice, human rights, and reconciliation programs• Created and implemented MEL plans for specific peacebuilding programs in collaboration with grant partners (e.g., NGOs, academic research centers, and international governmental organizations)PRACTICE• Served on the executive planning board, co-created the program itinerary for, and provided crisis management support for a 2-week fieldwork trip in Kenya to integrate MHPSS and international conflict resolution processes throughout the Horn of Africa• Managed peacebuilding and conflict resolution projects ranging in scope from $5,000 to over $500,000, spanning over 5 different countries, in a fully remote environment using technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and other communication platformsCOMMUNICATIONS• Oversaw communications strategies (e.g., communications campaigns and strategies, key program messages, print and electronic materials & reputation management in our professional ecosystem)FINANCES & DEVELOPMENT• Planned, executed, and monitored program budgets, approved expenditures, and prepared quarterly and annual financial and program reports (~$200,000 annual program budget) Show less

Supervised all aspects of an in-house research laboratory (Transformation & Reconciliation Laboratory) and conducted evidence-based research supporting reconciliation processes after violent conflict.• Developed evidence-based key indicators, data collection methods, data management, and analysis for MEL plans on a multi-year research/practice grant focusing on bolstering mental health/psychosocial support and reconciliation processes within the Horn of Africa.• Managed research and… Show more Supervised all aspects of an in-house research laboratory (Transformation & Reconciliation Laboratory) and conducted evidence-based research supporting reconciliation processes after violent conflict.• Developed evidence-based key indicators, data collection methods, data management, and analysis for MEL plans on a multi-year research/practice grant focusing on bolstering mental health/psychosocial support and reconciliation processes within the Horn of Africa.• Managed research and practice programs ranging in scope from $5,000 to over $100,000, including program conceptualization, data collection and analysis, write-up, and dissemination of findings to key stakeholders• Managed 7 M.S. and B.A. student-researchers to research international conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and the experiences of religious leaders • Provided 3 training sessions to 4 team members on research skills, including interviewing, transcription, qualitative data analysis, analytic and critical writing, crafting public presentations on Microsoft PowerPoint, and public speaking skills Show less

Equally supported research projects and peacebuilding practice on international reconciliation, trauma healing, and surveying expert scholars and practitioners on their opinions surrounding international reconciliation processes.• Co-designed and implemented an evidence-based rapid response project designed to provide mental health support to grassroots peacebuilders, change-agents, and humanitarian workers experiencing psychopathology during the onset of COVID• Conceptualized an… Show more Equally supported research projects and peacebuilding practice on international reconciliation, trauma healing, and surveying expert scholars and practitioners on their opinions surrounding international reconciliation processes.• Co-designed and implemented an evidence-based rapid response project designed to provide mental health support to grassroots peacebuilders, change-agents, and humanitarian workers experiencing psychopathology during the onset of COVID• Conceptualized an original research project focusing on measuring psychological resilience within peacebuilders leading international reconciliation processes (this project later began the flagship study of the Center)• Authored an evidence-based handbook for general audiences to build psychological resilience during the outbreak of COVID-19 as a rapid response to the burgeoning mental health crisis brought about by the COVID pandemic Show less

This role was part of my competitive doctoral assistantship package, including full tuition remission, health insurance, and a stipend. Primary duties included assisting faculty with research-, teaching-, and service-related tasks.• Created and facilitated a 4-day evidence-based, multi-day workshop on trauma healing and resilience building for high-level peacebuilders in Muscat, Oman• Provided human intelligence and crisis management support for a week-long study abroad trip to… Show more This role was part of my competitive doctoral assistantship package, including full tuition remission, health insurance, and a stipend. Primary duties included assisting faculty with research-, teaching-, and service-related tasks.• Created and facilitated a 4-day evidence-based, multi-day workshop on trauma healing and resilience building for high-level peacebuilders in Muscat, Oman• Provided human intelligence and crisis management support for a week-long study abroad trip to Israel/Palestine focusing on upscaling conflict resolution processes in contexts of intractable conflict• Under the supervision of a Full Professor, co-created and co-taught graduate-level coursework on world religions and diplomacy, mental health in peacebuilding, and doctoral-level qualitative research methods• Recruited graduate students to participate in 5 annual overseas peacebuilding practicum trips (Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia/Herzegovina) Show less

First graduate student assistant hired to support the newly-formed Institute specializing in monitoring and promoting international human rights, cross-cultural conflict resolution, and just governance at the local, national, and international levels.• Served as Court Rapporteur and co-authored the executive brief for the United Nations Division of Social and Economic Affairs at the 10th annual UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities •… Show more First graduate student assistant hired to support the newly-formed Institute specializing in monitoring and promoting international human rights, cross-cultural conflict resolution, and just governance at the local, national, and international levels.• Served as Court Rapporteur and co-authored the executive brief for the United Nations Division of Social and Economic Affairs at the 10th annual UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Authored and edited over 40 scholarly blog posts on recognizing and protecting international human rights and marginalized communities (https://cas.uab.edu/humanrights/author/nrs1992/)• Created and managed an online marketing campaign, gaining over 1,500 unique followers, reaching 10,000 social media users, and facilitating 10,000 engagements• Conceptualized and submitted 2 grant proposals to conduct an original research project assessing access to health services, social inclusion, and psychological resilience within resettled refugees with disabilities living in the United States• Supervised 7 undergraduate and graduate interns by editing their scholarly blog posts and other research-related tasks• Charted and documented non-governmental organizations’ standard operating procedures, resulting in the Institute’s first official employee handbook • Utilizing information and communication technologies to increase participation access during 6 expert-level paper presentations and 3 roundtable discussions• Initiated and maintained collaborations with/served as functional contact for private, governmental, and international agencies and organizations to strengthen international human rights of underserved populations (e.g., persons with disabilities, the queer/trans/LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic and religious minorities, and individuals living with the consequences of poverty/homelessness) Show less

Served as instructor of record for the undergraduate-level course "Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies," designed to prepare students for advanced study in peace and conflict studies, anthropology, and human rights (37 enrolled undergraduate students)• Conducted all course preparation (e.g., course structure and flow, each meeting's topics and activities, assigned and vetted course readings, and creation and grading of assignments)• Ranked in the top 10% of UAB instructors on… Show more Served as instructor of record for the undergraduate-level course "Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies," designed to prepare students for advanced study in peace and conflict studies, anthropology, and human rights (37 enrolled undergraduate students)• Conducted all course preparation (e.g., course structure and flow, each meeting's topics and activities, assigned and vetted course readings, and creation and grading of assignments)• Ranked in the top 10% of UAB instructors on end-of-term evaluations Show less

First masters-level researcher hired to provide evidence-based scholarly research, gray and white literature, and reports to field-based staff providing psychosocial and education services to children living in active conflict zones.• Compiled and maintained an online research database for post-conflict humanitarian fieldworkers, incorporating over 600 academic, popular media, governmental, and nongovernmental sources• Drafted 3 Executive Summary Briefs to inform high-level donors and… Show more First masters-level researcher hired to provide evidence-based scholarly research, gray and white literature, and reports to field-based staff providing psychosocial and education services to children living in active conflict zones.• Compiled and maintained an online research database for post-conflict humanitarian fieldworkers, incorporating over 600 academic, popular media, governmental, and nongovernmental sources• Drafted 3 Executive Summary Briefs to inform high-level donors and War Child executives on the ongoing humanitarian crises within the Middle East / North Africa, including Syria, Jordan, and Turkey Show less

Selected to participate in a competitive graduate student fellowship program designed to prepare fellows to work in global/public health through individualized mentorship and collaborations with other students, faculty, and global health practitioners.• Co-authored the Sparkman Center’s state-wide Public Health Case Competition with contributions emphasizing the importance of cultural approaches to mental health promotion and human rights protection for extremely low-income Indian citizens… Show more Selected to participate in a competitive graduate student fellowship program designed to prepare fellows to work in global/public health through individualized mentorship and collaborations with other students, faculty, and global health practitioners.• Co-authored the Sparkman Center’s state-wide Public Health Case Competition with contributions emphasizing the importance of cultural approaches to mental health promotion and human rights protection for extremely low-income Indian citizens seeking basic health care services• Managed all day-to-day operations, including managing/cleaning data, of a clinical-medical psychology laboratory focusing on the social neuroscience of stigma within individuals living with HIV with a focus on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence in gender and sexual minorities in the American South• Participated in an 8-seminar series for Sparkman Fellows where public health professors presented and received critical feedback on their ongoing research projects (e.g., maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa, women living with HIV in the United States)• Managed 3 undergraduate pre-med track (i.e., neuroscience, psychology, and public health majors) students to contribute to ongoing research projects, leading to these students winning 1st place in research at the university-wide undergraduate research symposium poster competition Show less

Under the supervision of the owner-operator, sold kombucha products throughout the Athens/Atlanta GA region at farmers markets, wholesale accounts at grocery stores and restaurants, and assisted with bottling and production at the in-house brewery.• Sold kombucha and company merchandise at 3 farmers markets within the Athens, GA, area, totaling over ~$10,000 in sales• Brewed kombucha and other beverages in accordance with USDA Organic-designated brewing standards• Recruited… Show more Under the supervision of the owner-operator, sold kombucha products throughout the Athens/Atlanta GA region at farmers markets, wholesale accounts at grocery stores and restaurants, and assisted with bottling and production at the in-house brewery.• Sold kombucha and company merchandise at 3 farmers markets within the Athens, GA, area, totaling over ~$10,000 in sales• Brewed kombucha and other beverages in accordance with USDA Organic-designated brewing standards• Recruited, onboarded, trained, and managed 3 employees• Initiated and managed wholesale kombucha accounts at 3 local bars and restaurants Show less

Sold coffee, tea, and food products at a locally owned café in Athens, GA. Served as a sole on-site employee during almost all shifts, thereby assuming full responsibility for café upkeep and management. • Prepared and crafted coffee- and tea-based beverages• Maintained store upkeep and industry-standard cleaning procedures• Consistently broke daily, weekly, and monthly sales records

Served as first research-oriented intern at a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing education about and direct service provision for survivors of local, national, and international sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and commercial sex exploitation/sex trafficking.• Provided executive assistance for the founder/CEO with all aspects of the nonprofit, including transportation to events, contacting supporters donors and community partners, and relaying executive strategic plans to an affiliated… Show more Served as first research-oriented intern at a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing education about and direct service provision for survivors of local, national, and international sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and commercial sex exploitation/sex trafficking.• Provided executive assistance for the founder/CEO with all aspects of the nonprofit, including transportation to events, contacting supporters donors and community partners, and relaying executive strategic plans to an affiliated university student organization• Trained and managed over 400 student volunteers across 4 universities at 6 events to provide services to survivors of sexual violence• Conducted an evidence-based literature review on sexual violence to train nonprofit staff on current terminology, standard operating procedures, and recent empirical studies to strengthen the nonprofit’s service-provision practices• Provided operational and logistical support for over 8, 100+ person events, including recruiting and training event staff, event set-up and break-down, on-site management, and providing post-event feedback to nonprofit leadership Show less

Under the supervision of a tenured professor, assisted with data management and input and conducted original research on topics within applied psychology with a specialization of the mental health of survivors of human rights violations.• Recruited, supervised, and trained 4 laboratory staff to assist a tenured professor with a grant-funded research project examining handwashing and personal cleanliness behaviors among university students• Supervised and executed data input and… Show more Under the supervision of a tenured professor, assisted with data management and input and conducted original research on topics within applied psychology with a specialization of the mental health of survivors of human rights violations.• Recruited, supervised, and trained 4 laboratory staff to assist a tenured professor with a grant-funded research project examining handwashing and personal cleanliness behaviors among university students• Supervised and executed data input and visualization, totaling over 2,000 data points on Microsoft Excel to prepare the study for scholarly publication and presentation• Presented 4 poster presentations on original, evidence-based research at regional and national academic conferences on the following topics: cultural dynamics of mental health in Pakistan, health psychology and the survivor’s psychological reaction to sex trafficking, nature reverence in indigenous Peruvian communities, and psychological motivations of sex traffickers Show less

Created an extensive literature review examining interactions between human trafficking and complex-PTSD; integrated motivation theory to understand the motives of human traffickers; used Allostatic theory to predict experienced stress of survivors of human rights violations.

Sold coffee, tea, and bistro food products at a coffee/bagel at a café owned and operated at a small liberal arts college. Promoted to shift supervisor after one semester, taking on all responsibilities for opening, closing, and managing day-to-day operations.• Prepared and crafted coffee- and tea-based beverages and food products, including baking pastries and daily and weekly food prep• Maintained store upkeep and industry-standard cleaning procedures• Supervised over 20 employees… Show more Sold coffee, tea, and bistro food products at a coffee/bagel at a café owned and operated at a small liberal arts college. Promoted to shift supervisor after one semester, taking on all responsibilities for opening, closing, and managing day-to-day operations.• Prepared and crafted coffee- and tea-based beverages and food products, including baking pastries and daily and weekly food prep• Maintained store upkeep and industry-standard cleaning procedures• Supervised over 20 employees on various shifts• Served concessions at university football games Show less

Created literature review examining PTSD symptomology related to visual stimuli, cognitive load, cognitive performance, testosterone levels, environmental cues; assisted in the development of ideas, experimental design, and security of student research grants.

Sorted incoming mail, organized, and alphabetized thousands of university applications, inputed applicant information into online databases, hosted 5 visiting high school students for overnight stays, provided customer service via phone, electronically, and in-person.