Who we are ?

is the Co-Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Security (CPS) where she supports the coordination and management of the organization’s multi-faceted efforts to integrate human rights, gender, and local voices and perspectives into research, methodologies, programmatic efforts across the global fields of countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. Currently, Katie also works as the Programs Manager at Atlas Relief and Development International (ARDI), where she works with civil society organizations and community leaders in Syria and Europe to design and implement development and social impact projects across Syria and among diverse refugee populations in in Europe. Prior to her current role, Katie worked as a Program Associate focused on Gender and Social Inclusion with Women Influencing Health, Education, and Rule of Law (WI-HER) in Washington D.C. Previously, Katie worked with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) on the PeaceWomen Programme to support the development of the organization’s Women Peace and Security Scorecard to track and evaluate gender-related commitments and efforts among the member states of the UN Security Council. Katie holds a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (California, USA), and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, and minors in Women and Gender Studies, from Portland State University (Oregon, USA). Drawing from her dedication to women’s human rights and gender equality, in addition to current professional focus on C/PVE-related programming in conflict affected areas, Katie is passionate about furthering the integration of gender and humans rights lenses into the multifaceted security field, with emphasis on amplifying the voices of diverse local leaders, activists, and organizations working to ensure that women have an equitable voice, space, and decision-making power within the global efforts to counter terrorism and prevent extremism.

is the Director of Research for the Center for Progressive Security (CPS), where she directs and conducts research initiatives utilizing various methods of data collection and methodology. Tannuja aims to strengthen the discourse of counter terrorism and violent extremism using a human rights and gender equality approach to research and analysis, in addition to integrating feminist epistemologies and methodologies and intersectional frameworks to guide research efforts. Currently, Tannuja is perusing both her Ph.D in Sociology and a certificate in Advanced Feminist Studies at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst, Massachusetts USA). She also holds Bachelor’s degree in Law and Society, and a minor in Human Rights and Gender Studies, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (New York, USA). While pursuing her undergraduate degree Tannuja served as a Research Assistant for the Center for International Human Rights at John Jay and as a Gender Justice Advocate at the Women’s Center at John Jay College. Currently, she is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and a Research Enhancement and Leadership Fellow. Tannuja’s passion for advocacy and the research of inequalities across different systems of oppression on a national and global level stems from her personal background as an Indo-Caribbean immigrant. At a young age, she witnessed the impact of gender violence first hand in Guyana where women’s bodies became a battleground for political, economic, and social issues; causing her to realize that gender inequality is a predictor for violence and instability. Such realizations have guided her work and advocacy, and she continues to thrives in roles that allow her to work towards dismantling the gender norms that maintain systems of power and prevent women from being leaders to effect change. These same ambitions drive her ambition to address countering violent extremism and terrorism efforts using gender and human rights lenses that can help development practitioners and policy makers understand the impact on and influence by women, men, girls, and boys from different backgrounds.

holds a Master's Degree in International Peace Studies from the University for Peace mandated by the United Nations. She has previously worked on several research projects on feminist security, gender equality and migration issues together with peace research institutes and civil society organisations. Her Master thesis and also field of expertise is on Feminist Foreign Policy. She has also been engaged in humanitarian assistance and social work, such as in refugee camps and women’s projects all around the world. Victoria strives for achieving a gender-just world.   In the Center for Progressive Security, Victoria takes on the role of research and policy analyst. Her experience in gender analysis and research focus on theories of feminism let her take on several research projects such as making the connection between security and queer studies or rethinking security concepts out of a feminist perspective. Victoria sees CPS as a base for thinking and creating a world society and world politics that are not built on structural violence, exclusion and power imbalances. Through deconstructing and shedding light on these inequalities and power imbalances, she is convinced to find new ways of making policies gender just and inclusive for all. Security is a great tool to hold and maintain power, which is why security and terrorism, is amongst others an enormous tool to start deconstructing. CPS and its team supports each other in this process of creating.

is the Director of Communications and Outreach for the Center for Progressive Security (CPS) where she works to develop public relations and marketing materials to enhance the organization’s image and its programs. Alexandra interacts with local grassroots activists to highlight expert opinions on human rights focused counterterrorism strategies in the CPS blog, in addition to also managing all social media initiatives and accounts, and working to engage new corporate, foundation, and academic partners. Currently, Alexandra works as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information (New Jersey, USA) where she teaches online and mediated communication in professional virtual settings. In addition, she also teaches English as a Second Language at all levels in Hudson County Community College (Jersey City and Union City, New Jersey, USA). Prior to her current career in academia, Alexandra was a Communications and Knowledge Development Fellow for the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), a non-profit organization that advocates for the importance of the full and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and disarmament. Alexandra holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University (Syracuse, USA) and a Bachelor's degree in English and Spanish from the College of Saint Elizabeth (New Jersey, USA). Alexandra understands that utilizing a human rights approach to counterterrorism tactics will help prevent radicalization, and is also keenly aware that terrorism is one of the most pressing issues that our world is facing at the moment – both of which are extremely complex issues. Alexandra is fascinated with the outreach and communication tactics of start-up organizations and is inspired by the chance to put her expertise and passion into action through CPS’ efforts to amplify the voices and perspectives of local leaders and community-based organizations, and she is inspired to elevate these voices in order to help influence policymakers and support local change-makers making a difference across the field at the local level.