Professional Training

Vice President

Mike Lekson
Michael Lekson is the Institute's Vice President for International Programs, Education and Training Center. He joined the program 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 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.
• 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.
• 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 is a Program Assistant. He joined the institute in 2007 as a program assistant. 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.
• Rashad Mahmood joined the institute in 2007 as a Program Assistant. He has an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown, and a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley. Prior to USIP he worked at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt as an Economic Researcher.
• Chris Sfetsios is a Program Assistant. He joined the Institute in 2007 as a program assistant 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 is a Program Assistant. He joined the institute in 2007 as a program assistant. He is currently working on a MS in Peace Operations Policy at George Mason University.

Research Assistants

• Angie Elliott-Koene is a research assistant. She 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 is a research assistant. She 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.
• Chelsea Robles is a research assistant. Her primary focus is providing research support for distance learning courses. Chelsea is a candidate for an MA in International Education from The George Washington University.

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