Hi, I’m Mike Brand and I am an unabashed idealist.

I like to think of myself as a practical idealist, someone who believes it’s possible to create a more just world—one where human rights are respected, protected, and defended—and there are practical steps that we can take to get there. I dream of a world where cooperation overshadows conflict, where corruption and inequality do not reign supreme, and where our leaders are altruistic instead of self-serving.

I am driven by the Nelson Mandela quote, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” I remind myself that every major social movement, inventor, and big thinker throughout history at some point faced naysayers, and consistently those naysayers were proven wrong.

In my professional life, I am a mass atrocities prevention and human rights advocate, advisor, organizer, and educator. I believe no one should be targeted because of who they are, where they come from, or what they believe in. As the grandson of a Holocaust survivor and someone who has befriended many genocide survivors, preventing genocide and mass atrocities is deeply personal for me. I truly believe that we can prevent mass atrocities if we are willing to take the necessary steps to change how the international system operates.

I have been an ardent activist for the prevention of mass atrocities for over a decade. I specialize in peacebuilding, conflict and atrocities prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction, with a regional focus on Central East Africa. Most of my work focuses on United States foreign policy, partnerships with civil society organizations in-country, and diaspora networks around the world.

I am a tactical leader and problem solver and have supported nonprofit organizations in strategic planning, capacity building, and impact strategy development. I provide expert policy and advocacy advice and train activists in advocacy and organizing best practices. Throughout my career, I have worked for various NGOs in the US, Rwanda, and South Sudan, and conducted fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. I also spent some time working at the US Department of State.

I have been published in peer-reviewed journals, publications such as The Hill, IRIN News, and the Huffington Post, and I have been quoted as an expert in my field in various news outlets such as the Financial Times, International Business Times, IRIN News, Voice of America, and the Jewish Journal.

I am regularly invited to speak at conferences, schools, educational and religious institutions. If you are interested in having me come and speak email me.

I hold a Master’s in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University with a concentration in Atrocities Prevention and BA’s in History and Political Science with a concentration in Human Rights from the University of Connecticut.