Vahe Mirikian is Peace Direct’s Peacebuilding Policy Officer. He is leading Peace Direct’s US office with policy and advocacy. He focuses on youth, peace and security, atrocity prevention, countering violent extremism, and locally-led peacebuilding. Vahe’s regional focuses are Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. He also leads the mapping of U.S. peacebuilding organizations on Peace Insight. Prior to joining Peace Direct, Vahe interned with Search for Common Ground as a policy and advocacy assistant with the Global Affairs and Partnerships department. While at Search for Common Ground, he focused on peacebuilding and conflict transformation in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also has experience as a legislative intern working with Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill. Vahe has an M.A. in International Affairs from the American University of Paris and a B.A. in Politics from Saint Mary’s College of California. He is currently based in Washington, D.C.