About - Impact

Lee Perlman, Board Chair (Israel)

Lee is the Tel Aviv-based associate of Brandeis University's International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life. He researches arts, politics and cultural policy and seeks to understand and influence how artists create social change and open dialogue in conflict zones and divided societies. He co-wrote with Meropi Moiseos the study "Buffer Fringe Festival (BFF) 2020: An Artist-Based Conflict Transformation Festival on the Fringes". His chapter with Sinai Peter, “Imagined Communities: Staging Shared Society in Israel” appeared in Activist Pedagogy and Shared Education in Divided Societies (Brill, 2022). Lee has served as a research fellow at the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research, Tel Aviv University, and has been an active participant in the Acting Together on the World Stage community of inquiry. Previously, he served as executive director, America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and director of programs, Abraham Initiatives, an organization promoting shared society and equality between Jewish and Palestinian citizens in Israel.

Lee Perlman, Board Chair (Israel)

Lee is the Tel Aviv-based associate of Brandeis University's International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life. He researches arts, politics and cultural policy and seeks to understand and influence how artists create social change and open dialogue in conflict zones and divided societies. He co-wrote with Meropi Moiseos the study "Buffer Fringe Festival (BFF) 2020: An Artist-Based Conflict Transformation Festival on the Fringes". His chapter with Sinai Peter, “Imagined Communities: Staging Shared Society in Israel” appeared in Activist Pedagogy and Shared Education in Divided Societies (Brill, 2022). Lee has served as a research fellow at the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research, Tel Aviv University, and has been an active participant in the Acting Together on the World Stage community of inquiry. Previously, he served as executive director, America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and director of programs, Abraham Initiatives, an organization promoting shared society and equality between Jewish and Palestinian citizens in Israel.

Kyoko Okumoto, Board Secretary (Japan)

Kyoko is a professor in the Department of International and English Interdisciplinary Studies at Osaka Jogakuin University. She is currently President of Peace Studies Association of Japan (PSAJ), a member of the Steering Committee of the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI), a board member of Transcend Japan and Regional Convener (North East Asia) of Transcend International. Kyoko works in the fields of peace studies, conflict transformation and nonviolent intervention, and particularly focuses on arts-based approaches to peacework. She teaches and facilitates peace workshops held mainly by civil society groups, and universities/schools. She tries to expand and deepen the network among North East Asian civil society and NGO communities, as well as in Asia and beyond.

Kyoko Okumoto, Board Secretary (Japan)

Kyoko is a professor in the Department of International and English Interdisciplinary Studies at Osaka Jogakuin University. She is currently President of Peace Studies Association of Japan (PSAJ), a member of the Steering Committee of the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI), a board member of Transcend Japan and Regional Convener (North East Asia) of Transcend International. Kyoko works in the fields of peace studies, conflict transformation and nonviolent intervention, and particularly focuses on arts-based approaches to peacework. She teaches and facilitates peace workshops held mainly by civil society groups, and universities/schools. She tries to expand and deepen the network among North East Asian civil society and NGO communities, as well as in Asia and beyond.

Boneh Roth, Treasurer (Canada)

Boneh is the CFO of Concord Premium Meats, a large food processor in Canada with branches in the Greater Toronto Area and near Montreal. He holds a BA in mathematics from New York University and is a CPA from Israel, having studied at Tel Aviv University. He has volunteered as treasurer for non-profits including a summer camp and Canadian Musical Theater Writers Collective. In Israel, he has also worked with youth from divergent backgrounds and handled conflict resolution. He supports causes for coexistence and reconciliation. He is not a fan of conflict, armed or otherwise, but always welcomes open debate.

Boneh Roth, Treasurer (Canada)

Boneh is the CFO of Concord Premium Meats, a large food processor in Canada with branches in the Greater Toronto Area and near Montreal. He holds a BA in mathematics from New York University and is a CPA from Israel, having studied at Tel Aviv University. He has volunteered as treasurer for non-profits including a summer camp and Canadian Musical Theater Writers Collective. In Israel, he has also worked with youth from divergent backgrounds and handled conflict resolution. He supports causes for coexistence and reconciliation. He is not a fan of conflict, armed or otherwise, but always welcomes open debate.

Bonface Njeresa Beti, Board Member (Kenya)

Bonface is an international artist-peacebuilder, educator and cultural leader who applies theatre-based interventions with individuals and communities to create a story of peace. He integrates and applies theatre-based processes into larger structural transformational issues as a language for social justice, decolonization and peacebuilding. He holds a MA degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and is currently working on his PHD there. Widely published in field of the arts and peacebuilding, he hosts international workshops and is part-time instructor at Canada’s University of Winnipeg.

Bonface Njeresa Beti, Board Member (Kenya)

Bonface is an international artist-peacebuilder, educator and cultural leader who applies theatre-based interventions with individuals and communities to create a story of peace. He integrates and applies theatre-based processes into larger structural transformational issues as a language for social justice, decolonization and peacebuilding. He holds a MA degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and is currently working on his PHD there. Widely published in field of the arts and peacebuilding, he hosts international workshops and is part-time instructor at Canada’s University of Winnipeg.

Carmen Olaechea, Board Member (Argentina)

Carmen has been working with Latin American civil society for over 34 years. She has developed conceptual and strategic frameworks; led institutional change processes; designed and implemented collaborative learning architectures; evaluated local and international projects and managed risks at both operational and strategic levels. Her publications include two co-authored books on art and social transformation, and three children’s books. Carmen is chairwoman of Fundación Cambio Democrático, an NGO specialized in dialogue and conflict transformation, and member of the advisory board of Crear Vale La Pena, a leading Latin-American NGO in the field of arts for social transformation. In addition, Carmen offers workshops in Argentina, Spain, and other Latin American countries on art and social transformation, sustainability, and how to respond to the paradigm shift. She also works as an independent advisor to individuals, social, and business leaders and their organizations. And she accompanies individuals, organizations and schools in the development of programs for transformation towards sustainability.

Carmen Olaechea, Board Member (Argentina)

Carmen has been working with Latin American civil society for over 34 years. She has developed conceptual and strategic frameworks; led institutional change processes; designed and implemented collaborative learning architectures; evaluated local and international projects and managed risks at both operational and strategic levels. Her publications include two co-authored books on art and social transformation, and three children’s books. Carmen is chairwoman of Fundación Cambio Democrático, an NGO specialized in dialogue and conflict transformation, and member of the advisory board of Crear Vale La Pena, a leading Latin-American NGO in the field of arts for social transformation. In addition, Carmen offers workshops in Argentina, Spain, and other Latin American countries on art and social transformation, sustainability, and how to respond to the paradigm shift. She also works as an independent advisor to individuals, social, and business leaders and their organizations. And she accompanies individuals, organizations and schools in the development of programs for transformation towards sustainability.

Dijana Milošević, Board Member (Serbia)

Dijana is an award-winning theatre director, writer, and lecturer. She co-founded Dah Theatre Research Center in Belgrade, Serbia and has been its leading director for over thirty years. Dijana has directed shows with her company and toured them nationally and internationally. She has also served as director of productions around the world. She is a well-known lecturer and writes about theatre for various publications. And she currently teaches at the Institute for Modern Dance in Belgrade. Dijana has served as Artistic Director for many theatre festivals, was president of the Association of Independent Theatres, board president of Belgrade International Theatre Festival, and a board member at the International Theatre Institute Serbia. Dijana is involved with several peacebuilding initiatives and collaborates with activist groups.

Dijana Milošević, Board Member (Serbia)

Dijana is an award-winning theatre director, writer, and lecturer. She co-founded Dah Theatre Research Center in Belgrade, Serbia and has been its leading director for over thirty years. Dijana has directed shows with her company and toured them nationally and internationally. She has also served as director of productions around the world. She is a well-known lecturer and writes about theatre for various publications. And she currently teaches at the Institute for Modern Dance in Belgrade. Dijana has served as Artistic Director for many theatre festivals, was president of the Association of Independent Theatres, board president of Belgrade International Theatre Festival, and a board member at the International Theatre Institute Serbia. Dijana is involved with several peacebuilding initiatives and collaborates with activist groups.

Kitche Magak, Board Member (Kenya)

Kitche is a professor of literature at Maasai Mara University (MMara-U) in Kenya. He has held numerous academic and administrative positions in the Kenyan higher education system, including the Acting Vice Chancellor of MMara-U. He has been involved in social research, training and communications in diverse areas including, film, art and peacebuilding, development/health communications, public health, gender, early childhood development (ECD), girl-child education, folk ecology and water and sanitation, inter alia. His current research interest is in applied literature with a special focus on art and peacebuilding.

Kitche Magak, Board Member (Kenya)

Kitche is a professor of literature at Maasai Mara University (MMara-U) in Kenya. He has held numerous academic and administrative positions in the Kenyan higher education system, including the Acting Vice Chancellor of MMara-U. He has been involved in social research, training and communications in diverse areas including, film, art and peacebuilding, development/health communications, public health, gender, early childhood development (ECD), girl-child education, folk ecology and water and sanitation, inter alia. His current research interest is in applied literature with a special focus on art and peacebuilding.

Rosanna Lewis , Board Member (Belgium)

Rosanna is Senior Manager, Culture Responds to Global Challenges at the British Council. She believes in the value of arts and culture for social, environmental and economic development globally and is a strong advocate in policy circles. Rosanna has co-developed programmes around the world on conflict transformation, gender equality, youth empowerment, and climate action. She is the author of "The Missing Pillar: Culture's contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2020)" and "Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth (2018)". Rosanna has a track record of working for European academic and policy institutions, including European Commission (Brussels), European University Institute (Italy), and European Court of Human Rights (France). Rosanna started her career as Administrator of the UK-based Routes into Languages project, promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in schools and universities in the North West of England. She is British-Irish, speaks French, Spanish, and Italian, and is currently based in Brussels. She is a classically trained soprano, amateur cellist and actress.

Rosanna Lewis , Board Member (Belgium)

Rosanna is Senior Manager, Culture Responds to Global Challenges at the British Council. She believes in the value of arts and culture for social, environmental and economic development globally and is a strong advocate in policy circles. Rosanna has co-developed programmes around the world on conflict transformation, gender equality, youth empowerment, and climate action. She is the author of "The Missing Pillar: Culture's contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2020)" and "Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth (2018)". Rosanna has a track record of working for European academic and policy institutions, including European Commission (Brussels), European University Institute (Italy), and European Court of Human Rights (France). Rosanna started her career as Administrator of the UK-based Routes into Languages project, promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in schools and universities in the North West of England. She is British-Irish, speaks French, Spanish, and Italian, and is currently based in Brussels. She is a classically trained soprano, amateur cellist and actress.

Rosanna Quesada Palm, Board Member (Philippines)

Dessa joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) at age 13 and has since devoted her life to theater as a performer, teacher, organizer, director, and playwright. Dessa spent many years with the PETA, and worked with UP Repertory, Ma-Yi Theater in New York City, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Silliman University. She finished AB Economics at the University of the Philippines and her master’s in International Relations at the New School for Social Research as a Fulbright scholar, and has worked at integrating theater in education, advocacy and development work and community building. She has conducted arts and peacebuilding trainings for the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute and as well as other workshops all over the Philippines as well as parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Living in Dumaguete, she co-creates with members of her co-founded Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA). Dessa has served as Head of the Committee on Dramatic Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and is currently a faculty member at Silliman University College of Performing and Visual Arts. She is the Vice President of the Women Playwrights International – Philippines.

Rosanna Quesada Palm, Board Member (Philippines)

Dessa joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) at age 13 and has since devoted her life to theater as a performer, teacher, organizer, director, and playwright. Dessa spent many years with the PETA, and worked with UP Repertory, Ma-Yi Theater in New York City, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Silliman University. She finished AB Economics at the University of the Philippines and her master’s in International Relations at the New School for Social Research as a Fulbright scholar, and has worked at integrating theater in education, advocacy and development work and community building. She has conducted arts and peacebuilding trainings for the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute and as well as other workshops all over the Philippines as well as parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Living in Dumaguete, she co-creates with members of her co-founded Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA). Dessa has served as Head of the Committee on Dramatic Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and is currently a faculty member at Silliman University College of Performing and Visual Arts. She is the Vice President of the Women Playwrights International – Philippines.

Armine Avetisyan, Program Manager (Armenia/USA)

Armine is a peacebuilding practitioner focused on creative approaches to peacebuilding and conflict transformation. She has been involved in nurturing trusting relations and creating spaces for dialogue among diverse groups from Armenia and Turkey, including grassroots communities, artists, nonprofits, local authorities, and others, to work together for building more just and peaceful societies. Armine co-directed the documentary “Haven't We Shared Much Salt and Bread?” which intersects conflict transformation, food, and gender perspectives on peace building. She holds an MA in conflict resolution and coexistence from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and another MA in cultural management from Turkey's Istanbul Bilgi University.

Armine Avetisyan, Program Manager (Armenia/USA)

Armine is a peacebuilding practitioner focused on creative approaches to peacebuilding and conflict transformation. She has been involved in nurturing trusting relations and creating spaces for dialogue among diverse groups from Armenia and Turkey, including grassroots communities, artists, nonprofits, local authorities, and others, to work together for building more just and peaceful societies. Armine co-directed the documentary “Haven't We Shared Much Salt and Bread?” which intersects conflict transformation, food, and gender perspectives on peace building. She holds an MA in conflict resolution and coexistence from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and another MA in cultural management from Turkey's Istanbul Bilgi University.

Nagnouma Sako, Bookkeeper (Guinea/USA)

Nagnouma has been the bookkeeper at IMPACT since 2022. She holds a BA in finance and an MBA in accounting. With in-depth knowledge of nonprofit accounting, Nagnouma has worked as an accounting and financial professional for the nonprofit and government sectors for over 12 years. Her work experience includes project management as well as federal grant management and reporting. Her passion for diversity and inclusion drives her to do her best work every day. She is fluent in both English and French.

Nagnouma Sako, Bookkeeper (Guinea/USA)

Nagnouma has been the bookkeeper at IMPACT since 2022. She holds a BA in finance and an MBA in accounting. With in-depth knowledge of nonprofit accounting, Nagnouma has worked as an accounting and financial professional for the nonprofit and government sectors for over 12 years. Her work experience includes project management as well as federal grant management and reporting. Her passion for diversity and inclusion drives her to do her best work every day. She is fluent in both English and French.

Cynthia E. Cohen, Senior Fellow (USA)

Cynthia is co-director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts (PBA) at the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life at Brandeis University, and a senior fellow at IMPACT. At Brandeis, she initiated an undergraduate minor in Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation. She has written extensively on the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of conflict transformation, including “Working with Integrity: A Guidebook for Peacebuilders Asking Ethical Questions” and “Creative Approaches to Reconciliation”. She co-edited and co-authored “Acting Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict”, a two-volume anthology accompanied by a documentary film and a toolkit. Prior to her tenure at Brandeis, she founded and directed a multi-cultural anti-racist community oral history center. Cynthia has worked as a coexistence facilitator with communities in the Middle East, Central America, and South Asia. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of New Hampshire, an MA in Urban Studies from MIT, and a BA in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University.

Cynthia E. Cohen, Senior Fellow (USA)

Cynthia is co-director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts (PBA) at the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life at Brandeis University, and a senior fellow at IMPACT. At Brandeis, she initiated an undergraduate minor in Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation. She has written extensively on the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of conflict transformation, including “Working with Integrity: A Guidebook for Peacebuilders Asking Ethical Questions” and “Creative Approaches to Reconciliation”. She co-edited and co-authored “Acting Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict”, a two-volume anthology accompanied by a documentary film and a toolkit. Prior to her tenure at Brandeis, she founded and directed a multi-cultural anti-racist community oral history center. Cynthia has worked as a coexistence facilitator with communities in the Middle East, Central America, and South Asia. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of New Hampshire, an MA in Urban Studies from MIT, and a BA in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University.

Polly O. Walker, Senior Fellow (USA)

Polly is of Cherokee ancestry and a member of the Cherokee Southwest Township. She is Associate Professor Emeritus, Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College. Polly earned her PhD at Australia's University of Queensland where her research focused on conflict transformation between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians. Polly is co-editor, along with Dr. Cynthia Cohen and Prof. Roberto Varea, of the two-volume “Acting Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict”. She also contributed to the documentary “Acting Together on the World Stage,” and is co-author of the accompanying toolkit. Polly serves as Chair of the Indigenous Education Institute whose work supports ethical collaboration with Indigenous peoples and Western scientists supporting the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge systems. She is also a director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute of Australia.

Polly O. Walker, Senior Fellow (USA)

Polly is of Cherokee ancestry and a member of the Cherokee Southwest Township. She is Associate Professor Emeritus, Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College. Polly earned her PhD at Australia's University of Queensland where her research focused on conflict transformation between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians. Polly is co-editor, along with Dr. Cynthia Cohen and Prof. Roberto Varea, of the two-volume “Acting Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict”. She also contributed to the documentary “Acting Together on the World Stage,” and is co-author of the accompanying toolkit. Polly serves as Chair of the Indigenous Education Institute whose work supports ethical collaboration with Indigenous peoples and Western scientists supporting the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge systems. She is also a director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute of Australia.

Toni Shapiro-Phim, PBA Partner (USA)

Toni serves as Associate Professor of Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation and Co-director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts (PBA) at the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life at Brandeis University. Toni received a PhD in cultural anthropology from Cornell University. Her research, writing, teaching, and community work focus on the history and cultural context of the arts in relation to violence, migration, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and gender concerns. She has worked in refugee camps in Southeast Asia, and conducted years of ethnographic research in Cambodia. Her documentary “Because of the War“ was awarded the 2018 Elli Kongas Maranda Prize from the American Folklore Society. Among her many publications are the edited anthology, “Dance, Human Rights and Social Justice: Dignity in Motion,” and contributions to “Annihilating Difference: The Anthropology of Genocide and Dancing Transnational Feminisms.“ She has worked with community-based social justice and arts organizations as a curator, producer of performances and festivals, and documentarian.

Toni Shapiro-Phim, PBA Partner (USA)

Toni serves as Associate Professor of Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation and Co-director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts (PBA) at the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life at Brandeis University. Toni received a PhD in cultural anthropology from Cornell University. Her research, writing, teaching, and community work focus on the history and cultural context of the arts in relation to violence, migration, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and gender concerns. She has worked in refugee camps in Southeast Asia, and conducted years of ethnographic research in Cambodia. Her documentary “Because of the War“ was awarded the 2018 Elli Kongas Maranda Prize from the American Folklore Society. Among her many publications are the edited anthology, “Dance, Human Rights and Social Justice: Dignity in Motion,” and contributions to “Annihilating Difference: The Anthropology of Genocide and Dancing Transnational Feminisms.“ She has worked with community-based social justice and arts organizations as a curator, producer of performances and festivals, and documentarian.

MUTUAL RESPECT AND COLLECTIVE SPIRIT, FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO FACILITATE SHARING.

Meet the team

Lee Perlman, Board Chair (Israel)

Lee Perlman, Board Chair (Israel)

Lee Perlman, Board Chair (Israel)

Kyoko Okumoto, Board Secretary (Japan)

Kyoko Okumoto, Board Secretary (Japan)

Kyoko Okumoto, Board Secretary (Japan)

Boneh Roth, Treasurer (Canada)

Boneh Roth, Treasurer (Canada)

Boneh Roth, Treasurer (Canada)

Bonface Njeresa Beti, Board Member (Kenya)

Bonface Njeresa Beti, Board Member (Kenya)

Bonface Njeresa Beti, Board Member (Kenya)

Carmen Olaechea, Board Member (Argentina)

Carmen Olaechea, Board Member (Argentina)

Carmen Olaechea, Board Member (Argentina)

Dijana Milošević, Board Member (Serbia)

Dijana Milošević, Board Member (Serbia)

Dijana Milošević, Board Member (Serbia)

Kitche Magak, Board Member (Kenya)

Kitche Magak, Board Member (Kenya)

Kitche Magak, Board Member (Kenya)

Rosanna Lewis , Board Member (Belgium)

Rosanna Lewis , Board Member (Belgium)

Rosanna Lewis , Board Member (Belgium)

Rosanna Quesada Palm, Board Member (Philippines)

Rosanna Quesada Palm, Board Member (Philippines)

Rosanna Quesada Palm, Board Member (Philippines)

Armine Avetisyan, Program Manager (Armenia/USA)

Armine Avetisyan, Program Manager (Armenia/USA)

Armine Avetisyan, Program Manager (Armenia/USA)

Nagnouma Sako, Bookkeeper (Guinea/USA)

Nagnouma Sako, Bookkeeper (Guinea/USA)

Nagnouma Sako, Bookkeeper (Guinea/USA)

Cynthia E. Cohen, Senior Fellow (USA)

Cynthia E. Cohen, Senior Fellow (USA)

Cynthia E. Cohen, Senior Fellow (USA)

Polly O. Walker, Senior Fellow (USA)

Polly O. Walker, Senior Fellow (USA)

Polly O. Walker, Senior Fellow (USA)

Toni Shapiro-Phim, PBA Partner (USA)

Toni Shapiro-Phim, PBA Partner (USA)

Toni Shapiro-Phim, PBA Partner (USA)