Staff

Derrick Gardner is working with staff to maintain and grow our database. Derrick's professional background is in coordinating service events and providing IT help desk support. Outside of the office, he is a musician who loves to perform his material in small venues around the DC area. He also enjoys reading, writing, rollerblading and cooking. Derrick will soon be a graduate of the University of Phoenix, obtaining his Associates Degree in Information Technology/Visual Communications.

To reach Mr. Gardner, email derrick@peacexpeace.org.

Linda Higdon, Chief Strategy Officer

Ms. Higdon directs Peace X Peace strategies, creates partnerships, oversees the organization's operations, develops innovative programs, and directs membership recruitment. She is the designer of the Women's Global Rountable - live weekly conference calls with women around the world - a Peace X Peace partnership with UNIFEM USA.

A classically trained pianist, Ms. Higdon is a step-mother to the "two most handsome young men in the entire Midwest" and is the honored wife to Mr. Paul B Higdon, "an even more handsome man". A piece of her heart lies in Kenya with her good friend Mercy Ogbonna, our Peace X Peace East Africa Liaison.

To reach Ms. Higdon, email linda@peacexpeace.org.

Mary Liepold, Senior Writer and Editor

Mary Liston Liepold, Ph.D., has 30 years of experience writing and editing a wide range of materials for national nonprofits, federal and state agencies, and individual authors, and 10 years raising funds for major nonprofits. Before coming to Peace X Peace Dr. Liepold spent 14 years at the Child Welfare League of America, where she developed, and for eight years, edited the magazine Children's Voice. From 2000 through 2005 she wrote speeches for CWLA President Shay Bilchik while raising several million dollars in federal and foundation grants and developing the organization's first individual giving program. She earned her doctorate in American Literature and Linguistics from the Catholic University of America.

Mother of four, grandmother of four, and a daycare mom for 15 years, Dr. Liepold believes with Gandhi that if we want peace, we have to begin with the children. She also believes that if the people lead, the leaders will follow, and she lives that maxim daily at Peace X Peace.

To reach Dr. Liepold, email maryl@peacexpeace.org

Liora Herman, Office Manager & WGR Manager

Ms. Liora Herman is a fresh addition to the Peace X Peace team. As Office Manager, Executive Assistant, and Manager of the Women’s Global Roundtable, she juggles many tasks while maintaining an upbeat attitude and cool composure.

Liora is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. Although her specialty is the Middle East, she has also spent a significant amount of time studying conflict in Africa and South America. She is proficient in Hebrew and Spanish and has traveled to many nations where knowledge of these languages came into play.

She is excited to be with Peace X Peace during this transition period and looks forward to all the wonderful changes that are soon to come.

Ms. Mayfield Barbee has worn many hats at Peace X Peace, including managing the Women's Global Initiative, a special program designed to build bridges across the cultures of the United States and the Arab and Muslim worlds, and developing a regional strategy for Peace X Peace to expand and enhance its presence globally, beginning with the Middle East and North Africa. At this writing, Molly is learning the ropes on the global development team with Tracy, telecommuting from her home in Khartoum, Sudan.

A graduate of Harvard University's Divinity School, she has worked for development organizations while living in Morocco, with an aid and education program for refugees while living in Egypt, and for other organizations with intercultural interests throughout the United States. Her background is in intercultural counseling and language study.

To reach Ms. Mayfield Barbee, email molly@peacexpeace.org

Dr. Lynn McClintock, Director of Leadership Development, is busy supporting Circle leaders, equipping volunteers to be effective in their crucial role of connecting women for peace, and cultivating relationships with key leaders of large women's networks. She came to this role with 10 years of experience in organizing networks and 20 years as a Presbyterian pastor. Lynn is the co-founder of Joining Hands, an international anti-poverty program, and a founding force behind Partners for Just Trade. She loves to read, bike, explore new neighborhoods, and keep up with the activities of her two college-age children.

To reach Dr. McClintock, email lynn@peacexpeace.org.

Rachelle Pachtman, Founder and President, Pachtman Communications, has served a wide variety of international and New York-based clients for twenty-five years. She enjoys creating strategic publicity platforms that consistently win A-list media coverage, and developing co-branded partnerships for the corporate and not-for profit sectors.

A recipient of Boardroom Bound’s 2005 Media Ambassador Award, Ms. Pachtman has been a champion of women and diversity throughout her career. In response to the limited media coverage of women-owned businesses, she created “25 Women Who Are Changing the Game,” a competition designed to recognize women business owners whose leadership is transforming the world. The resulting cover story ran in the May 2005 edition of FAST COMPANY magazine.

The award-winning DiversityInc magazine and its “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” won breakthrough coverage of the business case for diversity by: CNN, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press. Other prominent campaigns include those for: the 2006 Women’s Campaign Forum (WCF) ”Dinners of Your Choice” event in New York City, Green Chimneys Children’s Services programs for homeless LGBTQ youth, and a Family Financial Literacy partnership for UBS and New York’s Literacy Assistance Center.

Ms Pachtman serves on the Government Affairs Committee of the New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA). On a mission to Russia with the Alliance of Russian and American Women (ARAW), she taught Russian women how to start small businesses, skills she continues to teach at the Harlem Commonwealth Council. As a volunteer for American Women's Economic Development (AWED) she taught business skills to low-income women for ten years. Ms. Pachtman holds a Master's degree in Early Childhood education from Hunter College. She and Shaina Petunia, one of her American Eskimo dogs, have served as certified animal-assisted therapy partners at Mount Sinai Hospital for ten years.

To reach Ms. Pachtman, email rachelle@peacexpeace.org.

Kay Robinson, Manager of Member Services, has had a lifelong focus on service. She was a Peace X Peace member and volunteer before she joined the staff in 2007, so she understands what members need. As an ordained minister and Bishop, she brings a strong sense of compassion as well as counseling experience to her work. Growing from a small farming community in Western Pennsylvania to conducting spiritual pilgrimages worldwide to joining the staff of Peace X Peace, Kay sees herself as a member of the world community and values global communication and understanding. Supporting and empowering women has been a primary focus of her professional and spiritual work.

After earning a degree in Occupational Therapy and doing graduate work in Human Services Administration, she administered therapeutic and client service programs in Pennsylvania and California before starting a consulting business of her own. Kay is married, has two grown children and lives in the Bay Area of California. She enjoys being physically active, practices Tai Chi Qigong, skis and does archery with her husband, Michael.

To reach Ms. Robinson, email membersupport@peacexpeace.org