Institute for Faith-Based Diplomacy
Board and Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Cox
President
An ordained Episcopal Priest and 35-year veteran of Faith-Based Diplomacy, Developer of the Faith-Based Reconciliation process.
Dana Moldovan
Board Member
Founding partner of a high-tech company, trained conflict resolution professional, and full-time humanitarian.
Bassam Ishak
Board Member and Senior Diplomatic Team
Activist and President of Syriac National Council of Syria, for the protection and rights of Syrian minorities.
Cynthia Drennan
Board Member and Chief Financial Officer
Over 30 year history in banking and church administration. Involved in Faith-Based Reconciliation for over 20 years.
Tana Maples
Secretary to the Board
Over 30 years as a legal secretary, currently working for Van Ness and Feldman in Washington, D.C.
Daniel Philpott
Board Member
Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. Author of numerous books and journal articles on political reconciliation and faith-based social justice.
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Daisy Simwawa
Ireland
Professional Qualified Accountant for over 14 years. Involved in Church and Ministry leadership for the past 16 years. Part of Jewish-Christian Relations and Faith-Based reconciliation in Ireland.
Luke Gasiorowski
Israel
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Executive Director of Helping Hand Coalition, dedicated to supporting Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable populations. Born in Poland, made Aliyah to Israel in the early 1990s. Commander, IDF search and rescue unit. Leads media production initiatives to highlight Israel’s global significance and create a lasting impact on lives across the nation.
Isaac Uchiyama
Japan
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Business development and strategic consultant for Israeli companies entering or doing business in the Japan market. Partner at One Line Group, VP at Nishlis Global Legal Marketing. CEO at Tree of Life International Community Center, hosting and arranging cultural and language exchange opportunities.
Ramzan Khan
India
Seasoned lawyer from Leh, Ladakh, India. Vice President of Anjuman Moin Ul Islam, representing the Sunni Muslim community in Leh Ladakh. Regional Director of IFBD India and Ladakh, with over 20 years of experience in Faith-Based Reconciliation.
Japhet Mphande
Zambia
Reformed Church pastor and educator in Zambia.
Ciprian Gheorghe-Luca
Romania
Ph.D. in public theology from Aurel Vlaicu University in Arad. Has held numerous leadership roles in both the public and ecclesiastical sectors, most recently serving as Headmaster of the Emmanuel Pentecostal Theological High School in Bucharest. Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Christian Center.
IFBD INDIA TEAM
Ramzan Khan
Regional Director
Lawyer in Leh located in Ladakh/Kashmir in India, and a key part of the Faith-Based Reconciliation workshop in Kargil.
Mrinalini Martin
Director of West Bengal and Northeast
​Decade of experience in fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, promoting survivor leadership, and advocating for systemic change. Faith serves as the foundation of my work, inspiring my commitment to creating trauma-informed practices, building capacity, and developing strategic communications to address human trafficking and empower marginalized voices. Workshops in Leh, Kargil, and Kolkata.
Tamana Slathia
Director of Jammu & Kashmir
Development consultant based in Jammu and Kashmir, India, with 11 years of experience in conflict tranformation and reconciliation. Heads a youth-led organization to develop leadership in communities, rooted in indigenous values. Co-led the #IWillGoOut movement in India to reclaim public spaces for women and marginalized communities.
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Tsering Tsomo
Ladakh Team Member
Government employee. 20 years with IFBD.
Shaina Ahmed
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
Years of dedication to faith-based reconciliation, work focuses on transforming conflicts rooted in identity and history, using faith as a guiding light, facilitating meaningful dialogues to empowering leaders with the tools for peace.
Sophia Darshini
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
Committed to the cause of women, youth and children. A passion for helping, caring and leading the weak and vulnerable women to empowerment. My thirst for knowledge motivates me to reach out to people at all levels.
Alino Chishi
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
Specializing in Peace and Conflict Transformation from Nagaland, rich background spanning 6 years of experience in NGOs and social impact firms such as NuSocia, where she crafted impactful CSR partnerships, investments on peace for successful businesses and integrating peacebuilding frameworks into CSR programs.
Sourajit Gosh
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
Scholar in Buddhism and Asian Religions with a focus on Gender and Women's Studies in Religions. Doctorate in the Global Program, School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions of Nalanda University, India. Active member of many faith-based international organizations and serves as Gender Advocacy manager of a prominent NGO in India.
Steven Martin
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
Honors graduate in Political Science, English tutor at the British Institute in Kolkata. Actively involved in youth initiatives, supported a South Korean team during a 2023 conference, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse groups. His interest in faith-based diplomacy stems from his lived experiences among people of various faiths, sparking a deep curiosity and passion for fostering mutual understanding.
Edward Katorei
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
From Tamenglong, Manipur, and holds a Master’s degree in Commerce. Currently serving as a Lecturer at Tazei Public Higher Secondary School.
Thayna Panmei
West Bengal & Northeast Team Member
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Anubhuti Mahanta
West Bengal & Northeast Intern
IFBD ROMANIA TEAM
Ciprian Gheorghe-Luca
Regional Director
Ana Proteasa
Romania Team Member
Christian David
Romania Team Member
IFBD ZAMBIA TEAM
Japhet Mphande
Regional Director
Reformed Church pastor and educator in Zambia.
Mike Chirambo
Zambia Team Member
Public Relations Officer, engaged in shaping public perceptions and enhancing organizational reputation at CarVer Zambia. Background in PR, administration and research. Passion for bridging cultural gaps and fostering diplomatic relations.
Joshua Mwanza
Zambia Team Member
Associate Strategy Consultant with the Ministry. Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies, with a major in Peace and Conflict Studies. Passionate advocate for social justice, fostering peaceful environments, and resolving conflicts. Establishing an NGO to advocate for family building and values.
Masauso Nyirenda
Zambia Team Member
Jacqueline Sambaeto
Zambia Team Member
​Registered Nurse Midwife with 9 years of work experience in bedside nursing and acute care settings. 4th year Bachelor of science in critical care Nursing.
Strong commitment to compassionate care for families.
IFBD ISRAEL TEAM
Luke Gasiorowski
Regional Director
Executive Director of Helping Hand Coalition, dedicated to supporting Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable populations. Born in Poland, made Aliyah to Israel in the early 1990s. Commander, IDF search and rescue unit. Leads media production initiatives to highlight Israel’s global significance and create a lasting impact on lives across the nation.
IFBD IRELAND TEAM
Daisy Simwawa
Regional Director
Allison Bourke
Ireland Team Member
Anne Marie Condren
Ireland Team Member
Orli Degani
Ireland Team Member
Jackie Haughey
Ireland Team Member
Isaac Uchiyama
Regional Director