[CR Alumni Talk] Bridging Theory and Practice: Conflict Resolution and Democracy Promotion in Action
In this talk, Emily Thayer (G ’22) and Kaitlin Dominski (G ’19), will share their insights on how conflict resolution informs their work on international democracy, human rights, and governance programs at the same organization. While Emily’s experience on the Conflict Prevention and Stabilization program team and Kaitlin’s role as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist may seem distinct, both draw on the principles of conflict resolution to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration. This conversation will explore the interaction of conflict resolution skills with the strategic, analytical, and relational demand of their respective fields, offering unique perspectives on how this training can be applied across different functions in development and governance work.
This is a virtual event that will be hosted via Zoom. Register on Eventbrite for the link.
Kaitlin’s Bio
Kaitlin Dominski (G’19) is a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist at IRI where she works with program teams to design, monitor, and evaluate international programs addressing democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG). Specifically, she provides support to three program divisions: Europe Regional, the Women’s Democracy Network, and the Center for Global Impact, whose teams specialize in thematic topics such as conflict prevention and stabilization, anti-corruption, electoral integrity, legislative strengthening, and youth and inclusion. In prior experience as an evaluation and research consultant, Kaitlin conducted evaluations and data projects for USAID, Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and private sector entities. In addition to her MEL experience, she has worked on programmatic teams at USAID’s Office of Food for Peace and international development implementing organizations. While studying at Georgetown, she focused on the intersections of gender and humanitarian emergencies, interning with Georgetown’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, Georgetown’s Institute for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Human Rights Watch (Middle East and North Africa Division), Danish Refugee Council (Lebanon), and the Wilson Center (Women’s Rights and Middle East and North Africa). She also holds a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago.
Emily’s Bio
Emily Thayer (G’22) is a Senior Program Associate on the Conflict Prevention and Stabilization team and supports the implementation of peacebuilding and stabilization projects. Emily has worked on a variety of peacebuilding programs in the democracy, human rights, and governance sector, including promoting religious freedom, strengthening social cohesion, improving democratic oversight, providing psychosocial support to political dissidents, and building trust between conflicting communities. She was a contributing author on Beyond Political Transitions: Promoting Peaceful Democratic Openings Through Strategic Foresight, a toolkit that provides key conflict analysis and strategic foresight skills to implement effective conflict mitigation and peacebuilding strategies during political transitions. She is also a primary author on the Environmental Conflict and Peacebuilding Toolkit, which outlines environmental conflict drivers and related programming strategies to promote peace. Emily was previously a Research Assistant on the Conflict Management Training for Peacekeepers team at the United States Institute of Peace, and she worked with the Stimson Center as part of her practicum during the CR program. Emily also has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in Russian from Mercyhurst University.
About CR Alumni Talk
CR Alumni Talk is a virtual speaker series hosted by Georgetown University’s Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution. Each installment is lead by an alum of the program who presents on a topic reflecting their expertise and/or trajectory as a professional. Past speakers have included Kathryn Nash, PhD (G’10) who presented on her book African Peace (2021), Claire Crawford, PhD (G’18) talked about her scholarly work on Southern hip-hop and politics, and Mike Jobbins (G’08) who discussed his trajectory and work at a major peacebuilding NGO. This series provides alumni an opportunity to talk to each other and to current students.