Gord’s career includes a diverse background in the public, private, and non-governmental (NGO) sectors both in Canada and internationally. He has managed consulting companies as a partner and has also owned and managed a travel agency. Gord is currently retired and providing volunteer services to a number of organizations. He is also a member of a band called Grateful We’re Not Dead, which plays for charities and fundraisers.

Until early 2015, Brian was the Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR). The 23-year old Institute develops and delivers training and intervention services in community-based conflict resolution, developing participants’ capacities as third-party neutrals, both domestically and internationally. Brian spent the first 24 years of his working life with Farm Credit Canada (FCC), including eight years as Vice President of the Manitoba Region and eight years as Senior Vice-President of Operations in Ottawa, the latter of which involved directing six regions across Canada, 600 employees, and a $4 billion loan portfolio. From 1993 to 2005, Brian managed his own consulting company, specializing in facilitation and mediation, including designing and delivering skills-based training in both of these fields.

Following a career in business, in 1982 Pat moved to Northern Ontario, where she was active in providing direct assistance for the homeless and helped with the development and operation of a community food bank. Currently she provides corporate training, interventions, and coaching in conflict management. Her academic studies are toward a PhD in Professional Communication, focused on specific interventions. In addition, she teaches the Canadian Institution for Conflict Resolution (CICR) Certificate program for the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning. Pat’s most recent passion is her work as a restorative opportunities mediator, working with victims and offenders of serious crime. Pat is a CPSC Accredited Peace Professional. For a more detailed description of Pat’s experience and qualifications got to civilianpeaceservice.ca/pat-brady/.

Richard has worked in international development for more than 40 years, nearly all of it in civil society organizations. He directed the International Student Movement for the United Nations (Geneva), the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, and South Asia Partnership Canada (the latter two in Ottawa). He has served on numerous boards of directors of other international and Canadian organizations, including as a founding director of the North South Institute, the Group of 78, and UNIFEM Canada. The scope of this service has included emphasis on community development, international relations, peace and security, gender equality, South Asian issues, and strengthening of civil society.

Dr. Schellhammer is the Program Head of the BA in Justice Studies and Associate Professor in the School of Peace and Conflict Management at Royal Roads University. The Justice Studies program is a third- and fourth-year degree completion program intended to provide for the knowledge and skills base needed for justice service work in Canada and abroad. Dr. Schellhammer was instrumental in developing the program and has been the academic supervisor of the program since its inception in 2002. The program is learner focused and emphasizes four disciplines, i.e., law, philosophy, sociology, and social work. Dr. Schellhammer has a law degree from Germany and philosophy degrees from Queen’s University, Canada.