SAN DIEGO (Press Release) –Dr. Andrew Blum will take office as the Executive Director of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) on July 1, succeeding Dr. Dee Aker, who will continue as a strategic peacebuilding advisor, the Institute announced Tuesday.
In his current role as Vice President of Planning, Learning, and Evaluation at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Blum “has established a solid record of success in developing comprehensive strategies for peacebuilding organizations and in achieving measurable results,” according to Patricia C. Márquez, Dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.
As the new Executive Director of the IPJ, Blum will apply his expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation to further develop high-impact programs in peace with justice all over the world. Before joining USIP, Blum worked in the university sphere, serving as the Director of the ICONS Project at the University of Maryland’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management. Blum’s professional path also includes: Academic Coordinator at the Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Field Representative at The Carter Center, Conflict Resolution Advisor at the Center for Conflict Management, and Conflict Resolution Program Manager at Relief International.
Márquez said that Aker has “worked indefatigably in a variety of leadership positions in the IPJ to build peace with justice. She began as planning coordinator, quickly became Deputy Director, served as Interim Director on more than one occasion, and has been IPJ Director since August 2014.
“Over the years, Dr. Aker and her team have developed signature programs such as Women PeaceMakers and WordLink. She has shaped peacebuilding initiatives in Nepal, Kenya and Cambodia, establishing partnerships that endure the test of time. We thank Dr. Aker for her immense commitment and contributions to the IPJ and improving the lives of many people in communities in several countries. Her work has made our world a better place.”
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Preceding provided by the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego