Centre For Peace & Conflict Studies

Our TEAM

OUR STAFF

Dr. Emma Leslie

President

Dr. Emma Leslie

Emma Leslie, an Australian – Cambodian, is the founder director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, supporting peace processes and conflict transformation in Asia. She developed the MA and Ph.D. programs in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS), launched the Cambodia Peace Museum and for a decade has served the Philippine Government – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks as a member of the International Contact Group (ICG). Emma has been actively engaged in Myanmar for 25 years, made several peace missions to North Korea, and accompanies many non-state actors in their negotiations strategies. Emma teaches mediation annually at the Swedish government’s Folke Bernadotte Academy to United Nations personnel. Emma is an active steering committee member of both the South East Asia Women Mediators and Peace Negotiators and the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth (WMC). Emma serves on the board of the Peacebuilding Initiative at the University of Melbourne and the International Advisory Board of Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) Peace Centre. She holds a BA in South East Asia history and politics, a Graduate Diploma in Education, an MA in International Development, an honorary Ph.D. in Education, and the title Order of Australia. Emma was one of 1000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, and was profiled by KACIID as a ‘hero of dialogue’. Emma recently founded Dialogue Australia and began a soon to be released podcast – Peacebuilder Who Pack a Punch.

Betchak Padilla

Senior Peace Facilitator

Betchak Padilla

Betchak Padilla hails from Mindanao, Philippines. A peace leader who has many years of experience in process facilitation and peace leadership development. She is passionate and dedicated in cultivating experiences and connecting interdisciplinary work of peacebuilding and conflict transformation to deepen strategic peace work and practices. Over the past eight years she has been intensively involved in peace process support on conflicts in Myanmar, Philippines, Korean Peninsular and Thailand. Since 2015 she has worked as both Course Director and faculty for the MA program Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS). She previously served as the Executive Director of SALAM Inc a community peace building organisation in Iligan, and LIHUK (United Strength of the Urban Poor) a local development NGO. She holds an MA in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) and BA in Sociology. Mother to two boys, she is currently based in Cambodia.

Nikki Singer

Executive Director

Nikki Singer, MSW

Nikki joined the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in 2014 and has served in leadership roles throughout the organization. She led the Cambodia Peace Gallery initiative from 2016 – 2019, including the set up and opening of the Gallery in Battambang in 2018, piloting the Gallery’s peace education program for university students, and hosting international students and peace practitioners for learning exchanges in Cambodia. With a strong focus on Strategic Partnerships, Nikki has worked closely on fundraising and grants management, guiding strategic planning, and developing new programs. As Executive Director, Nikki is responsible for overseeing CPCS Peace Process work, primarily on Myanmar and Korea as well as regional initiatives, over sees the operations teams, and ensuring overall alignment and coordination across all CPCS initiatives.

Originally from the United States, Nikki holds a Master of Social Work from Boston College, specializing in Social Innovation, Leadership and Global Social Work. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University. Prior to CPCS Nikki worked in the nonprofit sector on housing instability and emergency aid.

Py Sokunthea

Finance Manager

Py Sokunthea

Sokunthea is a Cambodian and is the Finance Manager at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS). She has previously worked as Accountant at Depot Ly Hang Seng and at the Quality Learning International School and was an English Teacher at the Centre for Foreign Languages, Banteay Meanchey Province, and Assistant Teacher of a Foreign languages at the Quality School of Language and IT Training, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
She has completed a short courses in leadership, entrepreneurship, quality of higher education, quick book accounting and she has completed Intensive English for Academic Purposes (IEAP) at Pannasastra University (PUC) in Siem Reap. Sokunthea speaks English and holds a Master Degree in Accounting and Finance from Build Bright University in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Young Rothny

Senior Accountant

Young Rothny

Rothny works for CPCS’ Finance and Administration team as Senior Accountant, and comes to us most recently from Caritas in Siem Reap. Rothny holds a Bachelor degree from Build Bright University and is now continuing her studies for a Master’s degree in business administration at the University of Southeast Asia.

Oum Sotheavy

Government Liaison Officer

Sotheavy Oum

Sotheavy Oum also known as DA is a Cambodian. Currently working as a Government Liaison Officer at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS). Previously, she worked as an Administrative Assistant and Librarian from 2003 to 2007 at Alliance for Conflict Studies (ACT.

She is highly skilled in performing a range of administrative duties. She has completed a Diploma in English at Pannasastra University of Cambodia and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and International Relations.

Da is currently in her second year of studies towards a master’s degree in International Relations with a specialization in Peace Developments, also at Pannasastra University of Cambodia.

Zabra Yu Siwa

Senior Analyst & Mediation Support

Zabra Yu Siwa

Zabra has over ten years of combined professional experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and public diplomacy in the Philippines and Myanmar. His previous work focused on supporting the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 2007 to 2016. He is currently working at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) as Senior Analyst & Mediation Support focusing on conflict transformation and mediation support in Rakhine state, Myanmar. Zabra’s work has allowed him to gain a deeper knowledge of the Philippines and Myanmar’s peace processes, political environment and socio-economic and cultural contexts.

Dr. Gabrielle Grant

ACTS Academic Director

Dr. Gabrielle Grant

Gabby originally from Western North Carolina in the US has worked in the US and South East Asia in peacebuilding, gender research, and human services for over ten years now. She received her PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Gabby joined CPCS in 2016 working as a faculty member in the MA Applied Conflict Studies Programme and then the PhD Programme in 2017. She is now working fulltime as the Academic Director of both programmers. Prior to this she was an executive director of community restorative justice center, a research consultant throughout Southeast Asia, a social worker, and has worked in administration at higher education in the United States. Gabby is very passionate about connecting the practitioner to the academic and really enjoys teaching research from an applicated conflict perspective.

Joseph Ajero

ACTS Course Manager

Joseph Ajero

Joseph is the Course Manager for the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Master’s and Ph.D Programme of CPCS. An ACTS alumnus, his MA thesis focused on strengthening youth identities of the Bangsamoro youth in Mindanao, Philippines through Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Joseph used to work as a faculty member of the Communication and Media Studies Department of the Mindanao State University-Marawi City.

Rachel Beleo Cabulong

Administration Manager

Rachel Beleo Cabulong

Rachel Beleo Cabulong is from the Philippines and just this year moved with her family to Siem Reap to work as Administration Manager for CPCS. She previously worked in a corporate environment for 17 years in quality monitoring and customer relations, ensuring excellence in deliverables and task execution. Her involvement in development work commenced from her years at the University of the Philippines Los Banos to her engagement with peasant groups and indigenous communities in the southern and central hills of the Luzon islands. She has interest in analysis and in the cultivation of a sustainable and engaged living with a touch of swimming and needlework.

Alison Lee

Northeast Asia Specialist

Alison Lee

Alison Lee is the Northeast Asia Specialist at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. She ideates, designs, and implements platforms that bring together stakeholders regarding the Korean peace process. Originally from Hong Kong, she has many years of experience working with non-governmental organisations and ecumenical groups in youth development, stakeholder management, and partnership development.

In 2019 when she started working with CPCS, Alison moved to Cambodia, a country with strong diplomatic relations with both the DPRK (North Korea) and ROK (South Korea). She finds joy in cultivating connections with local peace leaders and supporting them in their pursuit to enact positive changes with creative means. She is a fluent speaker of English, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese, with a growing knowledge of the Korean and Cambodian languages. She graduated from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia with an MA in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies and holds a BSocSci from the University of Hong Kong.

Venus Mae Gatdula

Mediation Support

Venus Mae Gatdula

Venus joins CPCS with her enthusiasm for continuous learning and social impact. She has a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Venus used to work as the Human Resources Officer for a social enterprise focused in supporting global nonprofits and social sector leaders create more impact in a wide range of issue areas. She has also been a dedicated church youth leader for over ten years and has held various leadership positions in her global church. On weekends, she enjoys a quiet day at the beach or cooking her comfort foods.

Phal Keomorokot

Administrative Assistant and Cashier

Phal Keomorokot

Morokot is from Cambodia, working as a Administrative Assistant and Cashier. She previously worked as Internal Auditor at Vision Fund Cambodia. She has more than 7 years of experience as a Cashier, Customer Relationship Officer, and Auditor. She graduated from the Vanda Institute of Accounting in Cambodia with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and she also completed Intensive English for Academic Purposes at Pannasastra University in Cambodia (PUC).

Heng Hally

Human Resource Manager

Phal Keomorokot

Hally is originally from Cambodia. She has been working in the field of Human Resources, both with local and international organizations, for nearly 10 years. With CPCS, she focuses on ensuring clear and up to date policies and procedures; Cambodia legal compliance; maintain and enhance the organization’s human resources by ensuring staff’s security both physically and emotionally; ensure happy and productive workplace by creating the community feeling in CPCS that staff knows their rights, responsibilities and ways to express their concerns; and HR administration.

Previously, Hally was involved in human resource development including HR strategy plan, worker relations, labour market communication, succession planning and labour payment system.

Shannen Ann Enriquez

Peace Program Support Officer

Shannen Ann Enriquez

Originally from the Philippines, Shannen joined CPCS in September 2023 as Peace Program Support Officer. Prior to her current role, she has had over ten years of work experience that has revolved around development work in the field of peace and conflict, project management, policy research, administrative assistance, international relations, and domestic politics. From 2014-2021, she managed the Australian Embassy in the Philippines’ peace and stability portfolio in Mindanao, funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and implemented by the government and various non-government and multilateral organisations. Upon her return from her masters’ programme, she was tapped for a consultancy work with the World Bank to assist in drafting the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project proposal funded under the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund, a multi-donor trust fund envisioned under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Shannen holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manchester fully-funded by the Government of the United Kingdom under the prestigious Chevening Awards Scholarship.

In her free time, Shannen loves to backpack, cook and watch football. She is also a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Navaz Kotwal

Partnerships Coordinator

Navaz Kotwal

Navaz joined the CPCS in May 2023 and currently serves as Partnerships Coordinator. Her role at CPCS as involves managing the relationship with diverse funding partners and donors. Overall, she remains responsible for nurturing external partnerships and working closely with leadership on aligning strategies and proving technical assistance to partners.

Navaz is a seasoned professional in the fields of public policy analysis and international development, boasting more than twenty years of expertise. Her extensive career spans governance, humanitarian affairs, policy formulation, capacity building, training, and the safeguarding of marginalized populations, with a specific focus on women and children.

In her most recent role, Ms. Kotwal served as the Humanitarian Affairs & Policy Advisor for India, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives at the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in India. Here she played a pivotal role in establishing channels for humanitarian discussions with government bodies and civil society actors across South Asia. Before joining ICRC, Navaz led the UNDP-Government of India Access to Justice Project, which aimed to enhance the capabilities of justice sector service providers to deliver effective services, particularly for vulnerable groups. Her earlier tenure at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) saw her serve as the Coordinator of the Police and Judicial Reforms Program in South Asia and East Africa. Navaz has also as a member of various committees for the Government of India, including the drafting of the Model Police Act and a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system by the Law Commission of India.

Originally from India, Navaz holds a Masters in Law from the Nottingham University, United Kingdom.

Susanna Leitner

Intern

Susanna Leitner

Originally from Austria, Susanna joined CPCS’ Peace Process Team in September 2023 as an intern. Her role there includes the planning, implementation, assessment and conduction of trainings and workshops on themes of conflict transformation and peace building, event management, the production of reports as well as social media marketing.

Prior to her role as intern at CPCS, Susanna worked at the renowned Austrian law firm Wolf Theiss in Vienna as Trainee for Public Relations and Communications where she was solely responsible for writing press releases and coordinated guest articles as well as interviews with the firm’s lawyers. Before that, she served as a Federal Trainee at the Foreign Ministry of Austria in the Southern Europe Department and the Austrian Roving Embassies to Malta and Riga. There, she prepared and drafted background information and lines to take for high-ranking representatives of the Republic of Austria and assisted in analyzing the political and economic developments in Southern European Countries as well as Latvia.

  Susanna studied law for five years at the University of Vienna where she specialized in international relations and is now in her last year of her bachelor degree in Communication Science. She also holds an extramural diploma in Politics and Diplomacy which she received by the United Nations Youth and Students Association of Austria.

In her free time, Susanna loves doing sports, particularly dancing, boxing, HIIT training and yoga. She is also a book worm and loves spending time in nature!

OUR BOARD

Mr. Neb Sinthay

Mr. Sinthay Neb

Director of the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API)

Mr. Sinthay has over nineteen years’ experience working for Cambodian and international NGOs in the areas of civil society development, local governance, access to information, decentralisation, advocacy and policy, capacity building and training, project management, fundraising, policy dialogue, disarmament and demobilisation, peace and conflict resolution and youth development. His work in civil society includes positions on many Boards of Directors of eminent Cambodian organisations including Chairperson at Cambodians for Resource Revenue Transparency (CRRT), the Board of Director the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS), and the NGO Access to Information Working Group.

Mr. Sinthay holds Master of Art (MA) in peace and conflict studies from the European Peace University in Austria, and a Bachelor degree in International Relations from the Pannasastra University of Cambodia.

Soth Plai Ngarm

Soth Plai Ngarm

Soth Plai Ngarm is a Cambodian peace activist and researcher who holds a Masters degree in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, UK. Having worked throughout South East Asia on post-conflict issues, nationalism, and ethnic identity, Ngarm has accrued vast experience in the field as a peacebuilder, facilitator, and researcher.

Ngarm is the co-author of Introduction to Peace Studies & Research Methods (ACT, 1996), a member of the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) MA programme, and is the Cambodian National Coordinator of the South East Asian Conflict Studies Network (SEACSN). He is also a founding member and former director of the Cambodian based NGO Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACT).

Ramji Prasad Neupane

Ramji Prasad Neupane

National Programme Manager, Micro-Enterprise Development Programme

Ramji P. Neupane is working as National Programme Manager with the UNDP supported Micro-Enterprise Development Programme, which supports rural poor below poverty line in entrepreneurship development and employment generation. He worked with International Alert Nepal as Director of Programme during January 2013 to February 2014. Prior to Alert, he worked with Canadian CIDA in Nepal as Program Coordinator and Program Advisor in development and implementation of Canadian development aid programs in Nepal for well over a decade (2001-2012).

He served with United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) as a UN Volunteer to help implement the Cambodian peace process during 1992/1993. He served as the Chairperson of Kathmandu Forestry College for 2 full terms (6 Years) and is associated with Nepal Agroforestry Foundation, a leading NGO in promoting agroforestry and community forestry activities in the country, since 1990. Ramji holds a Ph.D. (in Regional and Rural Development Planning) & M. Sc. (Agriculture Systems) Degrees from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.

He has more than 20 years of experiences in natural resources management, rural enterprises development, agro-forestry, watershed management, conflict transformation and peace building. He has supervised Masters Students in agroforestry, agriculture, natural resources management and peacebuilding research activities in the past. He has obtained formal training on conflict transformation and peace building from the Responding to Conflict, UK and School of International Training, USA. He is involved in networks and organizations both inside the country and in Asian region for peacebuilding.