Lena Slachmuijlder

I am the Vice President of Programs for the international peacebuilding organization, Search for Common Ground. For the last 23 years, I have worked for peace and social change, as a journalist, writer, producer, performing artist, trainer, and project director. After living and working in Africa for 21 years, with many of those years in active war zones, I now work globally, based in Washington DC.  As VP, I travel frequently to support Search’s programs in 35 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. I lead training in media and peacebuilding around the world, speak on innovative approaches to peacebuilding, facilitate strategic planning and team building, have produced a documentary film, and written an award-winning feature film screenplay that I am developing for production.

I am passionate about change and the opportunity offered by conflict to transform individuals, relationships, and entire societies. I strive to be an enabling and inspiring leader. I seek frameworks for expanding my leadership across new sectors and with new partners, creating new possibilities for collaboration.  A true global citizen, I am committed to learning, innovating, and applying creative approaches to solve problems and strengthen our common humanity.