ERT Section Leadership
K-12 Education Representative: David Smith (Maryland)
David J. Smith’s work spans the fields of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, civic and global education. He has over 30 years’ experience as an educational consultant, lawyer, mediator, college professor, trainer, senior program officer, senior manager, career coach, and author. David supports educators, youth, and professionals in developing institution-wide initiatives and student activities promoting civic, conflict, and peacebuilding awareness. He is the president of the Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit that offers experiential learning opportunities for students and professionals. He was formerly a senior program officer and manager of national outreach at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He has taught at Harford Community College, Goucher College, Towson University, Georgetown University, Drexel University, and at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. While practicing law in Towson, Maryland, he also engaged in family mediation. He served as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tartu (Estonia) teaching peace studies and alternative dispute resolution. David is a recipient of the William Kreidler Award for Distinguished Service to the field of Conflict Resolution given by the Association for Conflict Resolution. He was a featured presenter at TEDxFulbright “A Curious Picture” in June 2017 where he gave a talk titled “Talking about Peace.” David is a member of the Peace and Collaborative Development Network (PCDN) Career Advisory Panel. In 2016 he published Peace Jobs: A Student’s Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace (Information Age Publishing, 2016). David is a co-author of USIP Special Report 246 Graduate Education and Professional Practice in International Peace and Conflict (August 2010).
Higher Education Representative: Dr. Juliette Shedd (Virginia)
Dr. Shedd is currently the Associate Dean at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University and teaches both introductory courses and courses on terrorism, extremism, global conflicts, and ideologies. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a BA in Political Science and Psychology from George Washington University. Her research includes work on the relationship of media to conflict, specifically focused on media coverage of terrorism and the role of women in political violence. She has shepherded S-CAR’s efforts to increase distance education and overseen a wide range of innovations in experiential and service learning. She served as the academic project manager for the development of the school’s Point of View International Retreat and Research Center.
Research Representative: Elisabeth Salzgeber (Oregon)
Training Representative: Sharon Seidler (Arizona, United States & Alberta, Canada)
Sharon provides and coordinates a wide-range of conflict resolution services, and after 15+ years as a private practitioner, Sharon helps to develop the conflict resolution profession through the training and mentorship of others. A consummate professional, trainer, and mentor in the field, she has established two companies, has coordinated notable service programs, and participated in the success of several organizations and associations in the field of dispute and conflict resolution in Canada and in the United States. With interest and passion for leadership, peace and conflict studies and their contributions to successful resolution, Sharon has been an avid contributor in the field and profession of conflict resolution throughout her career. Often provocative toward deeper thinking, she helps individuals consider the real impacts of what is happening in order to consider true resolution. Sharon believes that peace begins through a deeper awareness of self and others. As the Program Coordinator at Kansas State University's Conflict Resolution Experiential Learning Program and a Member of the Supreme Court Advisory Council, Sharon helps to guide and grow conflict resolution practitioners through education, training, mentorship, and research.
Diversity and Equity Liaison: Brandi R. Muñoz (Houston, Texas)
Brandi R. Muñoz is a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR, SHRM-SP), Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS), Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with over ten years of experience as a strategic Human Resources Leader in Recruiting, Corporate HR Management, Training & Development, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development, and Employee Relations. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Master of Arts program in Conflict Resolution with a concentration in employment mediation and was a student contributor for, Boulle, Laurence, et al. Mediation: Skills and Techniques. 1st ed., Newark, NJ, LexisNexis Matthew Bender, 2008. Currently, Brandi is working toward attaining a doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership from Abilene Christian University, focusing on conflict resolution and organizational development. Brandi also serves on the National Résumé Writer's Association (NRWA) board as the Director of Member Support for College Career Centers. She is also an advisor for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Social Responsibility, Membership, and Public Image Committees. Brandi has extensive experience developing and facilitating training topics in conflict resolution, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion that promote more inclusive and safe work environments. She also publishes online blogs and articles related to career development and conflict resolution.
David J. Smith’s work spans the fields of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, civic and global education. He has over 30 years’ experience as an educational consultant, lawyer, mediator, college professor, trainer, senior program officer, senior manager, career coach, and author. David supports educators, youth, and professionals in developing institution-wide initiatives and student activities promoting civic, conflict, and peacebuilding awareness. He is the president of the Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit that offers experiential learning opportunities for students and professionals. He was formerly a senior program officer and manager of national outreach at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He has taught at Harford Community College, Goucher College, Towson University, Georgetown University, Drexel University, and at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. While practicing law in Towson, Maryland, he also engaged in family mediation. He served as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tartu (Estonia) teaching peace studies and alternative dispute resolution. David is a recipient of the William Kreidler Award for Distinguished Service to the field of Conflict Resolution given by the Association for Conflict Resolution. He was a featured presenter at TEDxFulbright “A Curious Picture” in June 2017 where he gave a talk titled “Talking about Peace.” David is a member of the Peace and Collaborative Development Network (PCDN) Career Advisory Panel. In 2016 he published Peace Jobs: A Student’s Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace (Information Age Publishing, 2016). David is a co-author of USIP Special Report 246 Graduate Education and Professional Practice in International Peace and Conflict (August 2010).
Higher Education Representative: Dr. Juliette Shedd (Virginia)
Dr. Shedd is currently the Associate Dean at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University and teaches both introductory courses and courses on terrorism, extremism, global conflicts, and ideologies. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a BA in Political Science and Psychology from George Washington University. Her research includes work on the relationship of media to conflict, specifically focused on media coverage of terrorism and the role of women in political violence. She has shepherded S-CAR’s efforts to increase distance education and overseen a wide range of innovations in experiential and service learning. She served as the academic project manager for the development of the school’s Point of View International Retreat and Research Center.
Research Representative: Elisabeth Salzgeber (Oregon)
Training Representative: Sharon Seidler (Arizona, United States & Alberta, Canada)
Sharon provides and coordinates a wide-range of conflict resolution services, and after 15+ years as a private practitioner, Sharon helps to develop the conflict resolution profession through the training and mentorship of others. A consummate professional, trainer, and mentor in the field, she has established two companies, has coordinated notable service programs, and participated in the success of several organizations and associations in the field of dispute and conflict resolution in Canada and in the United States. With interest and passion for leadership, peace and conflict studies and their contributions to successful resolution, Sharon has been an avid contributor in the field and profession of conflict resolution throughout her career. Often provocative toward deeper thinking, she helps individuals consider the real impacts of what is happening in order to consider true resolution. Sharon believes that peace begins through a deeper awareness of self and others. As the Program Coordinator at Kansas State University's Conflict Resolution Experiential Learning Program and a Member of the Supreme Court Advisory Council, Sharon helps to guide and grow conflict resolution practitioners through education, training, mentorship, and research.
Diversity and Equity Liaison: Brandi R. Muñoz (Houston, Texas)
Brandi R. Muñoz is a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR, SHRM-SP), Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS), Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with over ten years of experience as a strategic Human Resources Leader in Recruiting, Corporate HR Management, Training & Development, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development, and Employee Relations. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Master of Arts program in Conflict Resolution with a concentration in employment mediation and was a student contributor for, Boulle, Laurence, et al. Mediation: Skills and Techniques. 1st ed., Newark, NJ, LexisNexis Matthew Bender, 2008. Currently, Brandi is working toward attaining a doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership from Abilene Christian University, focusing on conflict resolution and organizational development. Brandi also serves on the National Résumé Writer's Association (NRWA) board as the Director of Member Support for College Career Centers. She is also an advisor for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Social Responsibility, Membership, and Public Image Committees. Brandi has extensive experience developing and facilitating training topics in conflict resolution, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion that promote more inclusive and safe work environments. She also publishes online blogs and articles related to career development and conflict resolution.
