Interfaith Peacebuilding From the Local to the Global

Anjana Dayal de Prewitt is a globally recognized humanitarian leader, peacebuilder, writer, and humanitarian diplomat with more than two decades of experience advancing gender equity, psychosocial support, and humanitarian diplomacy in more than 30 conflict- and disaster-affected countries. She has held senior leadership roles with the American Red Cross, Save the Children, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In 2024, she was named a Senior Fellow of The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in recognition of her leadership in equity, nonviolence, and social justice. Anjana writes and speaks on resilience, healing, humanitarian values, interfaith peacebuilding, and social cohesion. She serves on the boards of the American Red Cross Northern Virginia Chapter and the Euphrates Institute, and is a certified candidate for ordained ministry as a Deacon in The United Methodist Church, where she seeks to bridge faith, humanitarian action, and social justice through servant leadership.

Issah Toha Shamsoo is a seasoned peacebuilding professional with over a decade of experience integrating peacebuilding with human rights, and community development to sustain peace and prevent violent conflicts. As the Founder and Executive Director of African Students for Interfaith Tolerance (ASFIT), a Ghanaian youth-led peacebuilding NGO established in 2019 he has mobilized and empowered young people, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to strengthen interfaith relations, foster social cohesion, and development in Ghana.

As an alumni of Euphrates’ Peace Practice Alliance, Issah applies concepts and practices from the program into his advocacy and peacebuilding work. From organizing youth peace education camps, interfaith walks, to organizing peacebuilding football tournaments, to influencing policy at the district and regional levels, Issah is a passionate changemaker who brings his whole heart, soul, and mind to everything he pursues. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast, and was recognized in 2023 by the Kofi Annan Foundation as a Changemaker for promoting interfaith harmony and peacebuilding.

Janessa Gans Wilder is a former CIA officer, peacebuilder, and founder of Euphrates Institute, a global organization that has equipped and connected peace leaders from more than 60 countries. After serving 21 months in Iraq during the height of the war, she dedicated her life to exploring how lasting peace is built through human connection and moral courage. She hosts the Peace Is Power podcast, featuring conversations with global leaders examining the nature of power and how it can be directed toward peace, justice, and human betterment. A TEDx speaker and Stanford University graduate, Janessa is a Principia alumna and served three years as visiting faculty. She is honored to return to campus for this conversation on faith, peace, and global citizenship.

Marco van Raalten left his native country of Holland, Europe at the age of 19 as a missionary, serving city-wide collaborative efforts in Lome, Togo (Africa), Kampen, Holland (Europe), Wichita and Farmington (USA). Marco also spent 13 years as a pastor, serving congregations in Holland and with the Evangelical Free Church of America in the USA . In 2018 he was invited by St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Creve Coeur, MO to serve as their city missionary to promote unity in the church in St. Louis Metro area. Marco met his wife Kari on the mission field and they have four adopted children: Nathan, Kevin, Clarissa and Grace. In their spare time they love spending time with their family, enjoy nature through hiking and biking and cherish the culturally rich city of St. Louis in its events, activities and ethnic restaurants.

Daniel K. Epstein earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a B.A. in Business Administration/Accounting from Georgia State University. An entrepreneur, consultant, author, and photographer, Daniel created Portraits in Faith, an exploration of beliefs held by over 500 individuals in 30 countries. He also created the Portraits in Faith Foundation, LLC, as a nonprofit to promote the idea that there is no “other.” The nonprofit supports programs such as “sacred listening” in schools, prisons, and other communities of concerned citizens.

Photo: Kat Eghdamian

Reverend Gina Alicea is a licensed spiritual practitioner through the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a minister, Gina obtained an MFA from Northern Illinois University, an M.Ed. from DePaul University, and an Interfaith Ministry degree from Emerson Theological Institute. Also an artist, and educator, Gina is the director of the Corvus Gallery on campus at The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Gina created the Portraits in Faith: Seeing the Other exhibition in 2022 and serves as curator for future exhibitions around the world.

Mary Pedersen has been engaged in interfaith work for nearly three decades, including the past three and a half years professionally with Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis. Her involvement with the organization began in 1997 as a volunteer, where she played a key role in shaping its community service initiatives. Over the years, she served ten years on its Board of Directors, contributed as a staff member twice during seasons of transition and currently serves as an Interfaith Relations Specialist, helping guide its mission and outreach. In addition to her work with Interfaith Partnership, Mary has served on the Board of The Living Insights Center for the past 15 years. She earned a degree in Religious Studies from Webster University in 2019, to further deepen her commitment to interfaith understanding and collaboration. She has earned awards for her work, most recently, the Pluralism Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council. Mary is married to Evan Pedersen, has three children and one son-in-law, which she considers her most meaningful and greatest work.

Reverend Lana Gilbert-McCarty has been in leadership positions on the Metro East Interfaith Partnership board (MEIP) since the beginning, which was over 20 years ago. During these years, McCarty has spoken numerous times for her Faith and for MEIP at the Belleville, Illinois Masjid and Islamic Education Center, the Temple Beth Israel, and the Shrine at Our Lady of the Snows. She has also organized tours to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum, the Hindu Temple in Ballwin, Missouri as well as the Insight Center, (a non-denominational sacred space) in St. Louis, Missouri. For several years, McCarty volunteered at the St. Louis Missouri Festival of Cultures at Tower Grove Park, inside the tent of World Faiths answering visitors’ questions about Interfaith Partnerships. McCarty has participated in numerous ecumenical and inter-religious formation and interfaith opportunities in the United States and abroad. Rev McCarty is an ordained minister for Community of Christ Church. She is a native of Independence, Missouri. In 2002, she began her service as Co-President for MEIP with Rev. Douglas Cripe and then became President of the partnership in 2016 and remained so until 2024 when she became the Vice-President.