October 8, 2008
Contact: Patty Kuderer, National Director of Communications
The Peace Alliance
206.910.2422,
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The Peace Alliance Announces New Executive Director
Lynn McMullen, former head of RESULTS, to head citizen action organization
Washington, DC - The Peace Alliance, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization leading the growing grassroots movement active in all 50 states for creation of a U.S. Department of Peace, announced yesterday the appointment of Lynn McMullen as executive director. McMullen is responsible for overall staff leadership, development, and implementation of the organization’s short and long range plans and policies. She previously served as The Peace Alliance’s National Campaign Manager and then as a campaign consultant.
McMullen, a resident of Washington state, brings over 20 years of nonprofit management and grassroots organizing experience to her new position. Before joining The Peace Alliance, she worked for RESULTS, a citizens’ advocacy network in the U.S, where she was the National Grassroots Manager, Development Director and ultimately Executive Director. McMullen has organized, led and managed the expansion of numerous successful lobbying and media campaigns to establish and increase funding for a variety of social service efforts, including Head Start early childhood education, the food stamp program, child survival, foreign assistance, international AIDS prevention and treatment, and microfinance, both nationally and internationally.
In 2003, McMullen co-founded the nonprofit Global Democratic Citizens Union, launching an initiative in South Africa to bring economic literacy and microfinance to AIDS orphans and vulnerable youth in rural areas of KwaZulu Natal, and create a replicable model of microfinance for teen youth through the school system.
"Lynn's passion and experience are exactly what we need as we embark on a powerful time of growth and change," said Peace Alliance Managing Director Wendy Greene. "We're thrilled to have her back full time on staff, and in this pivotal role."
McMullen is just as excited to be back with The Peace Alliance. "I'm constantly amazed by the vision and commitment of the staff and grassroots volunteers in this movement,” McMullen said. "All across this country people are yearning for peace. Our work is to take that yearning and make it a reality."
About The Peace Alliance: The Peace Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to empower civic activism for a culture of peace. The Peace Alliance works in partnership with the Student Peace Alliance to lead the growing grassroots movement active in all 50 states to pass legislation to create a U.S. Department of Peace. The bill, HR 808, is currently co-sponsored by 69 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including the original sponsor. When created, the Department will be headed by a Cabinet-level Secretary of Peace appointed by the President (with the advice and consent of the Senate), and will focus on expanding the nation’s capacity to resolve conflict nonviolently, prevent violence by addressing its root causes, and promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights.
Domestically, the Department will research, propose and facilitate practical, field-tested solutions to reduce and prevent violence. It will provide additional financial and institutional heft to strengthen and complement our current approach to violence, focusing on prevention through multi-layered strategies. These strategies include increased funding for local programs already proven effective at reducing and preventing violence. A Peace Academy, on par with the military service academies, will provide a four-year course of instruction in peace education after which graduates will be required to serve five years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.
Internationally, the Department will research and analyze foreign policy and recommend to the President ways to address the root causes of war. The Department will also provide expert advice to the President on nonviolent means of diffusing or dealing with international crises.
For more information on HR 808 and the campaign to create a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence, please visit
www.thepeacealliance.org.
