Emory 21 Days of Peace – A Conversation with Ambassador Bisa Williams & Emory Student Peace Builders

Former Ambassador Bisa Williams is The Carter Center’s Special Advisor for Mali and Team Leader of The Carter Center’s Mission as Independent Observer of the Implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, a first-of-its kind model for post-conflict accountability in Africa. In 2016, she co-founded Williams Strategy Advisors, LLC, a problem-solving consulting firm specializing in accelerating the realization of major infrastructure projects. Before forming WSA, she was a career member of the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State and held a number of senior positions including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2013-2015), U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Niger (2010-2013), acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs (2010), Coordinator for Cuban Affairs (2007-2010), and National Security Council Director for International Organizations at The White House (2005-2007). She holds Master degrees from the National War College of the National Defense University in Washington, DC and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Student Peace Builders:

Pedro Garcia 

Born in Bogota Colombia and educated in the United States (FL), Pedro is a first year MBA candidate and President of his class.  Since graduating as an Industrial Engineer from Georgia Tech in 2011, Pedro worked at Porsche Cars North America in different analyst roles around the organization (Sales Operation, Product Management, and Customer Experience).  On the side, Pedro has worked at multiple medical device start-ups and is currently working on several projects with immigrants from Venezuela who have fled to Cúcuta, Colombia

Garang Buk Buk Piol

Garang holds an undergraduate degree from Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Prior to his degree, he worked for The Carter Center in the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in South Sudan for the period of six years where he was involved in activities aimed at behavior change. Immediately after his undergraduate degree completion, he joined the race against poverty where he work with Indigenous NGOs in areas of Food Security and integrated peace building. With the past experiences as a victim of armed conflict in South Sudan, he is defying the odds to become an agent of change for effective development in his country. He is passionate about asset-based community development and effective capacity development of his communities as a prerequisite for mapping resources and opportunities necessary for their progress. While at Emory, Garang hopes to gain skills and knowledge of the key methodologies and techniques used to promote health and development in a very complex situation like South Sudan.

Sarah Kassabian

Sarah is a senior from Oklahoma City, studying Sociology and Political Science. She is the co-President of the Emory International Relations Association, which hosts Emory’s top-ranked Model UN Team, as well as programming events pertaining to various aspects of international relations. Last year, Sarah was the Secretary-General for Emory’s 7th annual Model United Nations conference, MUNE, which consisted of 10 unique committees, covering topics such as the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, UN Peacekeeping, and more. Her main focuses of study at Emory is International Law and the Sociology of Law. Outside of academia, Sarah is also an actively competing member of Emory’s Equestrian Team.