Elana Aquino is US Executive Director at Peace Direct, with over 15 years of experience in peacebuilding and development, including seven years in East and Southern Africa and The Sudans. Her passion and commitment to being of service as a practitioner and academic in the field of global peacebuilding is the through line in her career. Elana has experience in both international development and diplomacy with a portfolio of strategic and operational leadership and impact in both areas. She worked on South Sudanese IDP return issues and as a Peace Building Program Officer. She focused on supporting locally driven women’s empowerment initiatives, recognizing women as a crucial factor in solidifying peace gains. In Kenya, she was rapidly promoted from researcher to Head of the key coordination secretariat between the government of Kenya and 17 international development agencies. She led the production of the national joint assistance strategy for Kenya. She organized the first National Development Partnership Forum in Kenya co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the regional Head of the World Bank, with key participation from UN Agencies in the region. She is a former Fellow of the International Peace and Security Institute (IPSI) and currently the Chair of the Board of Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS). As a first generation American, the child of immigrant parents from the Caribbean, she is passionate about global peacebuilding, conflict transformation and prevention, and poverty reduction. She is committed to being part of a generation and a movement that leaves a legacy of peace, reconciliation, and harmony, not only for fellow humans but also for our dear Earth.
