Michael Shipler

VP, Strategy and Program Quality

Michael Shipler is the Vice President, Strategy and Program Quality for Search for Common Ground where he oversees strategy development and execution for the organization. Michael has twenty years of peacebuilding experience, having worked from community to political levels.

He previously served as Asia Regional Director for Search for Common Ground where he led programming in eleven countries and offices in Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. During his time in this role, he established SFCG’s program in Myanmar and Central Asia and led the development and implementation of a dynamic and innovative set of initiatives such as engagement between communities and security forces in Nepal, work in prisons in Indonesia, and production of media and television for social change.

He has served as the Senior Program Advisor for SFCG providing technical support to programs in Yemen, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Angola and elsewhere. Prior, he served as Director of Programs for SFCG's Nepal office where he co-founded and directed a multi-pronged media and community program in support of the country’s peace process. He is the founder of SFCG's Children & Youth Division, establishing core methodology for youth and peacebuilding work. He co-founded the Washington Network on Children and Armed Conflict (WNCAC) and helped found The Child Soldiers Initiative – a global project aimed at eradicating the use of children as soldiers – done in partnership with Lt. General Roméo Dallaire and other institutions. While working for Youth for Peace, a youth-led organization in Cambodia, he developed a leadership program supporting youth to avoid violence and contributing to reconciliation in their own communities. Michael is holds his MA in War in the Modern World at Kings College in London. He is the author of The Dancing Country and Other Stories.