Throughout my work in higher education, international development, professional counseling, and Christian ministry, I have been continually shaped by the extraordinary impact of those who choose to be peacebuilders. As a Professor of Global Studies, I came to understand how essential it is not only to teach the theory of peacebuilding but to cultivate the postures and practices that make peace possible in everyday life. While research and teaching have grounded me, my greatest learning has come from the privilege of walking alongside peacebuilders across the world—from Israel and Palestine to South Sudan, Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and here in the United States. Their courage, resilience, and hope have left an indelible mark on my life.

I am deeply convinced that peace is not accidental; it is cultivated. And each of us, in our homes, communities, organizations, and churches, carries the potential to nurture environments where peace can take root.

It is out of this conviction, and in response to the increasingly polarized world we inhabit, that I founded Compass and Courage. My desire is to create a space that equips and encourages individuals and communities to engage the work of peace with clarity, humility, and boldness. Compass and Courage exists to help us navigate complex times with grounded purpose and to step forward with courage into the work of reconciliation, healing, and transformational leadership.