Strategic Advisory Council

Faith Community: Interfaith; United Religions Initiative

Biff Barnard brings to URI a distinguished career in institutional advancement, finance and governance. He joined URI in October 2016 as Director of Institutional Advancement after serving on the SAC since 2003. Prior to that he was Managing Partner of Barnard/Montague Capital Advisors; Managing Director of Caltius Mezzanine; Senior Vice President at Allied Capital; and Chairman & CEO of Heller First Capital.

He served as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and served on the advisory board of Heritage Bank of Commerce’s San Francisco East Bay region. He holds a B.A. from Stanford University and resides in Walnut Creek, California with his wife Connie.

In his current role as Co‑Chair of the SAC, Biff uses his deep expertise in capital markets, philanthropy and organizational leadership to support URI’s global mission of inter‑faith cooperation.

His deep knowledge of all aspects of URI, background in regional inter‑faith networks (including serving on the Governing Board of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County CA, a URI Cooperation Circle), and his experience scaling institutional platforms provide valuable strategic insight for strengthening URI’s infrastructure, major‑gift initiatives and network growth.

San Mateo, CA USA

Faith Community: Christian; Episcopalian 

Bishop William E. Swing is the Founder and President Emeritus of URI. As the 7th Episcopal Bishop of California (1980‑2006), he led significant engagement in homeless and immigrant ministries, HIV/AIDS response, and inter‑religious outreach in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1993, at the invitation of the United Nations, he convened an inter‑faith service to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UN Charter—an event that catalyzed the formation of URI.

In his role on the SAC, Bishop Swing offers a visionary anchor for URI’s values of inclusive spirituality, inter‑faith dialogue and peacebuilding. His global network, deep experience in faith‑community leadership and institutional founding provide wise counsel for scaling daily inter‑religious collaboration, ending religion‑related violence and strengthening cultures of justice, healing and ecological stewardship.

Vanessa Bergmark is the owner and CEO of Red Oak Realty, one of the largest independent real estate brokerages in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally from Brooklyn, Bergmark moved west after studying crime, law, and justice. Her passion for real estate ignited when she purchased her first home, prompting her to become a licensed agent. She joined Red Oak Realty in 2007 and became the owner three years later. Under her leadership, Red Oak Realty has expanded and the firm now has over 160 agents, four locations. Bergmark is also known for her commitment to sustainability, leading Red Oak to become both green-certified and carbon-neutral , while being deeply involved in charity for her local community. In 2023 she received her Master’s in Law in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Pepperdine University.

Faith Community: Christianity

In addition to serving as a member of the SAC, Lijo Chacko also serves as a Trustee (At‑Large) of URI’s Global Council. He is CEO of Sigachi – Middle East & Africa and brings a strong global social‑impact orientation. He has been a Trustee of the Tanta Gatha Foundation, advisor to the Global Equality Alliance, and was instrumental in the Global Action on Poverty network building program. He holds a Masters in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies (UK) and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Lijo’s experience leading corporate‑sector and philanthropic initiatives in culturally diverse and development‑intense settings aligns directly with URI’s mission. He supports bridging business, civil society and faith networks across regions — helping to expand URI’s reach into Africa and the Middle East, build resource partnerships, and enable locally‑led inter‑religious cooperation in areas of complexity and opportunity.

Faith Community: Christianity; Presbyterian

In addition to serving as a member of the SAC, Bob is a long-time member of the URI Foundation Board. Over a 41‑year career in the investment business (at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch), he managed a discretionary investment team with approximately $3 billion in assets and was ranked #8 on Barron’s list of “100 Top Investment Brokers.” Since retiring in 2015, he has directed philanthropic work via three foundations (including URI) and serves as a trustee of the BSA National Foundation and president of the American Fondouk Animal Hospital Foundation in Fez, Morocco.

Bob’s deep financial acumen and philanthropy‑governance expertise enhance URI’s capacity for investment‑policy oversight, legacy‑gift strategies and sustainable institutional growth. His involvement strengthens URI’s ability to steward resources wisely, engage major donors and ensure long‑term financial stability for the network of faith‑based cooperation.

Mary Cranston is a seasoned corporate director and investor. She is the retired CEO and Chair Emeritus of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. As CEO from 1999 to 2006, she expanded PWSP internationally, doubling its size and profitability. She currently serves as a director of Visa, the Chemours Company, MyoKardia, CSAA Insurance, McAfee, Boardspan, and Fiduciary Trust. She served as a Trustee of Stanford University from 2000 to 2010, and as the Chair of the Board of the Stanford Children’s Hospital until December 2016. She has also chaired the Stanford Alumni Association, the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors, and the Stanford Children’s Research Initiative. She currently sits on the boards of the Commonwealth Club of California (which she chaired from 2008 to 2010) and of Catalyst. She has been recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in the United States, and by the National Association of Corporate Directors as one of the 50 most influential and effective public company directors in America. Mary has served as an advisor and investor to numerous startups in technology, financial technology and pharmaceuticals.  

William P. Fuller’s career spans international development, philanthropy and global governance. He served as CEO of The Asia Foundation in San Francisco (1989‑2004); prior to that he was Deputy Assistant Administrator and Director of the USAID Indonesia Mission (1981‑89); before that he served with the Ford Foundation (Thailand, Bangladesh) and UNICEF (Middle East) and worked at the World Bank (Paris). He holds an MBA from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Stanford.

Bill’s lifetime of engagement in development and governance across Asia – including faith‑community linkages and regional capacity‑building – provides URI with grounded insight into how religiously‑diverse communities can partner for social justice, inclusive governance and sustainable development. His participation strengthens URI’s global credibility and supports linkages between faith‑networks and institutional progress in diverse regional contexts.

Jill H. Kramer is a founding member of the SAC. She has served as president of ARCS Northern California, co‑founded CLAW (Critter Lovers at Work), was a board member of Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), co‑founded the Coro Foundation program for “Women Over 40,” and is a member of the Presidents’ Circle of the National Academy of Sciences. She has recently joined How Women Lead. Jill was instrumental in developing URI’s Individual Membership Program. 

Jill brings a distinctive blend of leadership in gender equity, science, nonprofit governance and community networks—areas critical to advancing inclusive inter‑faith leadership in URI’s network. Her work supporting women in leadership, governance best practice and cross‑sector collaboration reinforces URI’s mission to mobilize diverse faith and civic actors into inclusive, justice‑oriented inter‑religious cooperation. 

David Mast is a multifaceted individual who brings a unique blend of spirituality, design expertise, advocacy for education, and civic engagement to his life's journey. He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, completed his BA at Calvin University, and pursued higher education at UC Berkeley. As the youth director of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, he developed his dedication to community and spiritual growth. Then, he transitioned into the financial sector, where he held a significant role within a private investment firm. After which, he ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing his own design firm in San Francisco. David's distinctive approach in his design work seamlessly blends the spiritual and the physical, reflecting his profound passion for both aspects of life. He firmly believes in the importance of public education as a cornerstone of society – this led him to hold various political offices and housing boards, where he advocated for civic duty and the betterment of his community. Beyond academics and professional pursuits, he is passionate about traveling, learning new languages, exploring diverse cultures, and connecting with people from all walks of life. Converted to Judaism, he now lives in Israel.

Steve Miller is Founder & CEO of the United States Christian Leadership Organization (USCLO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving racial equality and reconciliation. He is an Ashoka Fellow, recognized as one of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Miller began advancing rights and responsibilities in Texas in 2009, with his efforts resulting in Federal civil rights investigations by the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the United States Department of Justice’s Community Services Division. His work has brought increased equity to hiring processes, expanded job opportunities, and greater understanding of institutional bias in the educational system and has won legal actions at the Federal court level. Miller offers service and leadership to the HBCU Truth & Reconciliation Oral History Project, documenting and archiving the racial experiences of African Americans. He leverages the power of students and scholars of color, as well as the leading institutions in African American society, such as Historically Black Colleges & Universities and the Black Church, to recreate conditions that led to the successful U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Before becoming a social impact leader, Miller was a corporate banker specializing in large real estate syndications. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School as well as a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 

Faith Community: Roger finds meaning in the core teachings of many faith traditions, is a member of a Congregational Church, and the child of parents who were raised Buddhist and Shinto

Roger Nozaki, Principal at Peninsula Field Strategies LLC, brings decades of cross-sector experience developing and guiding strategies for social impact. He has designed, implemented, advised, and taught approaches to social innovation across corporate, government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and academic settings.

From 2016 to 2025 he served as Vice President for Strategy and Programs at the Barr Foundation, a period during which the foundation doubled its staff and grantmaking while strengthening its reputation as a values-driven, community-centered philanthropic institution. Roger has also advised family offices and corporate foundations on how to integrate learning, partnership, and equity into their impact strategies.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Roger contributes his extensive experience in strategy, philanthropy, and cross-cultural collaboration to advancing URI’s mission of fostering enduring inter-faith cooperation and building cultures of peace and justice. A 2025 Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) member sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S.–Japan Council, Roger has served on numerous boards and committees, including Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations Corporate Committee, the Institute for College Access and Success, and Innovations in Civic Participation.

Michael G. Pappas worked as a lobbyist, regional field director for a presidential campaign and investment banker for the oldest municipal bond firm in New Jersey. In 1987, he left the world of politics & finance and enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, MA) attaining an M.Div. and as an ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, he served parishes in Palos Hills, IL, Stockton, CA, and San Francisco, CA. During his sixteen-year ministry, he was a prolific writer, contributing articles to numerous religious and secular periodicals. He also devoted energy to working with the homeless and furthering ecumenical and interfaith relationships. After transitioning from parish ministry in 2007, he was selected by the San Francisco Interfaith Council to the newly created administrative post of Executive Director. In his tenure as Executive Director Michael has helped increase the Council’s budget and programs substantially; strengthened existing and cultivated new relationships with civic leaders, NGOs, judicatories and congregations; and significantly projected the SFIC through expanded use of technology. SFIC is a Cooperation Circle of URI. Michael has served/serves on numerous boards and has had several mayoral appointments. He is the father of two sons, George and Paul, and one daughter, Julia. He is a congregant at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco.

Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce, DD, PhD, served Congregation Emanu-El as the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Senior Rabbi from 1993 to 2013. Ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, he earned his doctorate in counselor psychology at St. John’s University. He is an advisory board member of the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture. Previously, he served on the boards of the Graduate Theological Union and Palo Alto University, and is a past president of the Northern California Board of Rabbis. In January 2018, he was named the Taube Scholar at Congregation Emanuel-El.

Faith Community: Catholic

In addition to serving as a member of the SAC, Barbara Shannon serves as a Trustee (At‑Large) of URI’s Global Council. She is CEO of the Shannon Group, advising C‑level executives across high‑tech and other industries. She founded THECEOBOARD (a San Francisco‑based peer group for CEOs) and ATHENA (a mastermind group for women entrepreneurs). Previously, she worked with Deloitte Consulting guiding senior executives at JPMorgan Chase, MetLife, Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard and Applied Materials. She serves on boards including We Vote, is Global Ambassador for How Women Lead and was coach‑in‑residence for Save The Bay. She holds a B.A. from Smith College and an MBA from the Wharton School.

Barbara’s strategic business leadership, focus on gender‑inclusive executive networks and governance expertise significantly bolster URI’s institutional growth and outreach. Her ability to engage senior business and executive networks adds dimension to URI’s efforts in mobilizing resources, building partnerships and strengthening the global faith‑network platform for inter‑religious cooperation.

Suzanne E. Siskel was the Executive Vice‑President and Chief Operating Officer of The Asia Foundation, overseeing its U.S. operations and 18 Asia‑based offices. Prior to that she spent more than two decades in senior leadership at the Ford Foundation (Indonesia, Philippines, New York). She serves on boards including Winrock International, China Medical Board, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Friends of Fondation de France, and Vicente Canyon Hillside Foundation. She is co‑President of the Ford alumni association and former President of the Fulbright Association; she holds anthropology degrees from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University.

In her role on the SAC, Suzanne brings a deep blend of cross‑cultural philanthropy, civil‑society capacity‑building and institutional leadership across Asia and globally. Her experience in navigating complex development and faith‑community landscapes and building partnerships across cultures directly supports URI’s mission of fostering enduring daily inter‑faith cooperation, nurturing cultures of peace and justice and engaging faith communities in healing the Earth.

Roselyne "Cissie" Swig is Founder and President of ComCon International, and member of the Board of Directors of The Swig Company and founder of Roselyne C. Swig Artsource (1978-94). She was appointed Director of the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies Program by President William J. Clinton (1994-97). She has devoted decades to philanthropic and community service efforts, at local, national and global levels with a focus on women's empowerment, social welfare, fine art, political advocacy and education. Ms. Swig is founder of Partners Ending Domestic Abuse and Bayview Alliance.

John Weiser previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Graduate Theological Union, a partnership of nine seminaries of differing denominations. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Weiser served as General Counsel of Bechtel Group, Inc., an international engineering construction firm. Earlier, he was a partner and member of the management committee of Shearman & Sterling, a major Wall Street law firm. He and his late wife, Maria, had nine children, one of whom died as a toddler; they have eleven grandchildren. 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is Vice Chairman, Member - Office of the Chairman and Director of Franklin Resources, Inc. He serves as an officer, director, and trustee of some of the subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 47 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. He is also Chairman and Director of Franklin Templeton funds. Mr. Johnson joined Franklin in 1965 after serving as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. He is a member on the board of the BASIC Fund and has served as a member of the executive committee as well as the Board of Governors of The Investment Company Institute. He also served on the board of the San Francisco Zoological Society and has been active with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. He is a former trustee of both Santa Clara University and Washington and Lee University.

Robert (Bob) Lurie has a lifelong dedication to business, civic and community affairs in San Francisco. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1953 before returning home to enter the San Francisco business community. Upon his father’s passing in 1972, Bob Lurie assumed the presidency of the Lurie Company, a San Francisco and Chicago-based real estate company specializing in commercial properties. In 1976, a Lurie Company subsidiary purchased the San Francisco Giants Baseball Club.

George M. Marcus is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Marcus & Millichap Company (MMC). Founded in 1971, MMC is the parent company of a diversified group of real estate service, investment and development firms. His professional memberships include Real Estate Roundtable, Urban Land Institute, the U.C. Berkeley Fisher Center for Real Estate and numerous other professional and community organizations. Mr. Marcus graduated with a B.S. in Economics from San Francisco State University in 1965, he was honored as Alumnus of the Millennium in 1999 and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the California State University in 2011.

Chandler Tagliabue grew up in Milledgeville, GA, with two younger brothers. She was an outstanding student and received her BA in English and French from the Women’s College of Georgia (now Georgia College and State University) in 1964. In 1965, Chan married Paul Tagliabue, then fresh out of law school. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in English and American Literature at George Washington University, and has been for decades an avid participant in book clubs in Washington, New York City and Boothbay Harbor, ME. Chan’s current primary involvement is as a member of the Board of Regents of Georgetown University. She serves as Vice Chair of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics committee and is also a member of the Georgetown Learning Initiatives committee.

In the past, Chan devoted time and energy as a volunteer leader and board member of Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization engaged in rehabilitating housing for elderly, disabled and other disadvantaged citizens. Chan has also been heavily involved in other organizations, including as a board member for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington; honorary chair of a capital campaign for the Girl Scout Council of the National Capital; and as senior warden of the vestry and chair of a St Columba’s capital campaign.

Paul Tagliabue is currently Vice Chair of Georgetown University’s Board of Directors. He joined the Board in 2006 and served as Chair from 2009 to 2015. Tagliabue engages in a range of endeavors, including in business, law, and higher education. He previously served as the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) from 1989 until 2006. As NFL Commissioner, Tagliabue presided over an extended period of labor peace, league expansion and growth of fan interest and revenue in professional football. Tagliabue now serves as a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, and has previously advised the United States Olympic Committee on its governance structure.

Tagliabue is senior counsel in the law firm Covington & Burling in its Washington, D.C., office and advises clients on governance and public policy matters. Tagliabue's contributions in business and public service have been recognized by the Jackie Robinson Foundation, the NCAA, the Sports Business Journal, Autism Speaks, the United Way of America, the National Urban League and other organizations. Before becoming the NFL’s CEO, Tagliabue represented the NFL and other clients for two decades at Covington & Burling. He earlier served in the Office of U.S. Secretary of Defense as a policy analyst and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He currently serves on business boards, including Panasonic’s Global Advisory Group, as well as boards of nonprofit organizations.

Kat Taylor is active in a variety of social business, public benefit and philanthropic ventures in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently focuses on beneficial banking services and food systems through two primary organizations. She and her husband, Tom Steyer, are the Founding Directors of OneCalifornia Bank and a foundation, which lends to low-income communities to support local economies and job creation. Kat is also a Founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation dedicated to returning to sustainable food production. Kat is a Partner in INKA, a startup renewable food company pioneering closed loop food systems. Since 1986, Kat served on the board of the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center and the Insight Prison Project. Kat has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of KQED, Inc., the Bay Area and Northern California’s public radio and television station. Kat and Tom reside in San Francisco with their four children and many animals.

Faith Community: Islam

Zahed Amanullah has spent over two decades advancing global initiatives at the intersection of interfaith engagement, digital citizenship, and counter-extremism. As a Senior Advisor at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), he has worked closely with governments, tech companies, and grassroots networks to strengthen community resilience against hate and polarization.

His leadership has shaped international programs supported by the U.S. and U.K. governments, the European Commission, and the United Nations, guiding online and offline campaigns to elevate voices of tolerance and inclusion. Previously, he founded and led several pioneering platforms that amplify Muslim and interfaith perspectives, including City Circle and MuslimMatters.org, and has been widely recognized as a leading thinker on faith, media, and civic empowerment.

In his role on the Senior Advisory Council of URI, Mr. Amanullah brings deep experience in fostering trust and collaboration among diverse communities. His ability to bridge faith, technology, and policy offers unique value to URI’s efforts to counter division and strengthen interreligious cooperation worldwide. Drawing from his work with multi-stakeholder networks and his expertise in digital dialogue, he will support URI’s mission to create safe spaces for understanding and amplify the global impact of grassroots interfaith leadership.

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Faith Community: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Dr. Brian Adams brings more than two decades of global leadership in interfaith and intercultural dialogue to his work. With a PhD in Political Science and master’s degrees in Community Development and Conflict Resolution, he directed the Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue at Griffith University in Australia, where he convened international dialogue forums and mobilized cross-sector partnerships in Africa, Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific. He founded the G20 Interfaith Forum to highlight how faith and philosophical traditions contribute to global economic and development agendas, and is fluent in English, French and Swahili — allowing his work to bridge varied cultural and linguistic contexts. 

He was founding director of the Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue in Brisbane, Australia and the architect of the G20 Interfaith Forum, among other dialogue platforms. Dr. Adams is the Chair of the governing board for A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), an international NGO supporting youth leadership in interfaith and intercultural dialogue and works closely with URI-Europe.

In his role on the Senior Advisory Council of URI, Dr. Adams brings deep expertise in dialogue facilitation, conflict mediation and institutional design to support URI’s Executive Director, staff and Global Council. He serves as an ambassador for URI within the global interfaith and multi-stakeholder ecosystem, helping cultivate networks, strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

His proven ability to convene diverse actors and generate policy-relevant outcomes strengthens URI’s mission of building respectful, inclusive and collaborative interreligious communities worldwide.

Faith Community: Judaism

Claude Bernstein brings a distinguished record of leadership in business, philanthropy, and community service, with a career spanning finance, international investment, and nonprofit governance. He served for many years as a senior executive and board member within the global investment management sector, where he helped guide responsible business practices and social impact initiatives.

Beyond the corporate world, Mr. Bernstein has been deeply involved in interfaith and civic life, supporting organizations that promote dialogue, cultural understanding, and social justice. His philanthropic commitments have included work with Jewish and interreligious institutions focused on education, equity, and humanitarian assistance, reflecting a lifelong dedication to building bridges across communities.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Mr. Bernstein draws on his extensive experience in strategic leadership, institutional development, and faith-based philanthropy to advance URI’s mission. His insight into organizational sustainability and governance will strengthen URI’s global networks, while his personal commitment to interreligious cooperation will help expand partnerships between business leaders and faith communities working toward peace, compassion, and shared prosperity.

Faith Community: Islam

Adama Dieng is an internationally respected jurist and human rights advocate whose career has shaped global standards for justice, accountability, and intercommunal harmony. A former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, he has worked for decades to uphold the rule of law and promote reconciliation in post-conflict societies.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Dieng served as Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists, and as a key negotiator in numerous peace and constitutional processes across Africa and beyond. His counsel has guided heads of state, multilateral institutions, and civil society coalitions seeking to bridge divides through justice, dignity, and dialogue. Mr. Dieng was a keynote speaker at URI’s Accelerate Peace Conference at Stanford University in June 2019. He is the recipient of the URI Peace Award and is registered as a URI Individual Member

On URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Mr. Dieng brings unparalleled experience in human rights and international diplomacy to the service of interfaith peacebuilding.

His understanding of conflict prevention and moral leadership will strengthen URI’s capacity to respond to crises where religion intersects with human vulnerability. Drawing on his lifelong advocacy for tolerance and justice, he will help URI deepen its global engagement with policymakers, faith leaders, and grassroots networks working to advance peace, human rights, and inclusive development.

Faith Community: Judaism

David Dinerman brings more than three decades of executive experience in financial management, investment strategy, and governance across both for-profit enterprises and not-for-profit institutions. He has served as Chief Financial Officer, investment advisor, and board treasurer for a wide range of organizations, where he oversaw multi-million-dollar portfolios, implemented fiscal accountability systems, and guided long-term capital planning.

His career has included leadership in sectors spanning private equity, venture finance, and philanthropy, as well as service on the boards of community-based nonprofits focused on education, the arts, and social impact. David is recognized for his ability to bridge rigorous financial discipline with mission-driven purpose—helping organizations strengthen operational capacity and achieve sustainable growth.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, David offers deep expertise in strategic finance, governance, and organizational sustainability to advance URI’s interfaith mission worldwide. His background in managing complex financial systems and advising leadership teams enables him to support URI’s Executive Director, Global Council, and staff in building transparent, accountable, and resilient structures.

Grounded in ethical stewardship and collaborative leadership, David’s counsel helps ensure that URI’s resources are effectively mobilized to foster peacebuilding, interfaith cooperation, and shared prosperity across its global network.

Faith Community: Christianity

Dennis Franklin is a seasoned business executive and advisor with deep experience in operations, finance, and cross-sector partnerships. Over the course of his career, he has led P&L teams, built vendor and community partnerships, and implemented budgeting, forecasting, and risk-management systems that improved transparency and long-term sustainability.

His work has included developing new programs and social-impact initiatives, professionalizing back-office functions (HR, compliance, and procurement), and mentoring emerging leaders to scale results responsibly. Dennis is known for translating strategy into execution—aligning people, processes, and technology to deliver measurable outcomes.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Dennis brings practical, business-tested tools to help strengthen organizational capacity across URI’s global network. He supports the Executive Director, Global Council, and regional leaders with guidance on financial stewardship, operational excellence, and partnership development—ensuring resources are managed ethically and deployed where they create the greatest interfaith impact. His collaborative approach and commitment to transparent governance reinforce URI’s mission to foster peacebuilding, dialogue, and cooperation across communities worldwide.

Faith Community: Judaism

Bertrand Huchberger brings more than four decades of international experience in aerospace, defense technology, government contracting, and cross-border strategic engagement. After service in the United States Air Force managing intelligence-related scientific and telecommunications programs across Europe, Asia, and North America, he transitioned to leadership roles with major American defense and aerospace firms operating overseas.

His work with ITS-InterTech Services in Geneva supported clients such as Sikorsky, L-3 Communications, Oracle Defense, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, followed by senior regional roles with Westinghouse Electronic Systems International and Norden Systems.

As Director at Tri Polus Ltd. in London, he pioneered the use of defense offsets to strengthen industrial development in Europe, including a significant multi-year collaboration with Lockheed Martin to build air sovereignty command systems across Central and Eastern Europe — now integrated into NATO operations. Fluent in English and French, with additional working proficiency in German, Italian, and Swedish, he brings a rare blend of technical mastery, geopolitical fluency, and strategic foresight.

As a member of the URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Mr. Huchberger brings deep expertise in international engagement, security policy, and technology-driven collaboration across cultures and governments. His background in facilitating trust between nations, directing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, and advancing cooperative frameworks in sensitive geopolitical environments strengthens URI’s efforts to build bridges of dialogue and mutual understanding globally.

He contributes meaningful perspective to URI’s work in peacebuilding, interreligious trust-building, and emerging questions around technology, ethics, and human security — including cybersecurity and responsible uses of artificial intelligence — helping ensure that URI’s mission remains relevant and forward-looking in a rapidly changing world.

Faith Community: Judaism

Elizabeth “Heidi” Huchberger is a pioneering business leader whose early career helped shape the evolution of modern computing and women’s advancement in the technology industry. Beginning at IBM in 1964, she became part of the first cohort of women in the company to enter sales, sales management, and eventually general management roles — breaking professional barriers while participating in the foundational era of business computing.

During her IBM tenure, she also advanced women’s economic equality, working through the Women’s Political Caucus alongside then-Senator Joe Biden to support passage of the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a landmark protection granting women independent access to credit. Following IBM, she embraced Silicon Valley entrepreneurship, holding senior leadership roles in emerging software firms, including co-founding a company that developed some of the earliest commercial artificial intelligence software.

In 1992, she acquired and expanded a clean-room commodities company serving high-technology sectors, becoming an early participant in PRC-based advanced manufacturing before selling the company in 2007. A committed advocate for education, she served as a Trustee of Chadwick School and helped establish Chadwick International in South Korea, and she remains active in ARCS supporting doctoral candidates in STEM and medical research — including future Nobel Laureates and MacArthur Fellows.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Ms. Huchberger offers a legacy of barrier-breaking leadership, compassion-driven advocacy, and deep commitment to educational opportunity and social justice. Her experience fostering empowerment for women, supporting diverse learning communities, and navigating cross-cultural organizational development strengthens URI’s mission of cultivating respect and cooperation across faith and cultural traditions.

Having participated in historic movements for civil rights — including the 1961 Freedom Rides — she brings firsthand understanding of the moral urgency of equality, dignity, and human solidarity. Heidi’s visionary entrepreneurial mindset, combined with her lifelong commitment to

Faith Community: Islam

Dr. Amir Farid Isahak is a physician, healer, and interfaith leader whose career bridges medicine, spirituality, and holistic well-being. Trained as a medical doctor in Australia and Malaysia, he has practiced and taught integrative medicine for over four decades, emphasizing compassion and the unity of body, mind, and spirit. Dr. Isahak has been deeply involved in Malaysia’s interfaith movement, serving as a founding member of the Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF) and contributing to dialogue initiatives that promote harmony among Malaysia’s diverse religious communities.

A prolific writer and speaker, he has authored numerous essays and talks on spirituality, ethics, and healing, advancing understanding between science and faith traditions. 

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Dr. Isahak brings a deeply integrative perspective that links health, spirituality, and interreligious understanding.

His experience in nurturing compassion-based leadership and guiding interfaith dialogue in plural societies will strengthen URI’s regional and global engagement. Through his example of service and wholeness, he will help URI cultivate holistic approaches to peacebuilding that honor both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human well-being. He served as a Trustee of URI’s Global Council representing the SEAPAC region.

Faith Community: Judeo-Christian (nonpracticing Messianic Jew); Episcopal/Anglican

Richard Livermore is a retired judge and mediator whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, ethics, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he served for more than two decades on the bench in California, presiding over complex civil and criminal cases with a reputation for fairness and insight.

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Livermore has been a leader in advancing alternative dispute resolution, teaching mediation and judicial ethics, and advising on reforms that strengthen access to justice. His legal work has been complemented by years of community service and interfaith engagement, where he has sought to apply principles of restorative dialogue and compassion to civic and spiritual life alike.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Judge Livermore brings a wealth of experience in mediation, ethical governance, and bridge-building across differences. His ability to navigate complex disputes with empathy and integrity will support URI’s global efforts to foster dialogue and resolve conflict through understanding and respect.

Drawing on his judicial experience and moral perspective, he will help strengthen URI’s work in promoting peaceful coexistence and the rule of law as foundations for interfaith harmony. He previously served as a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council. 

Faith Community: Episcopalian

The Very Rev. Eric Metoyer is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of California with a distinctive blend of corporate, congregational and justice-oriented leadership experience. Before his ordination, he spent fifteen years at Bechtel Company, the San Francisco–based global engineering and construction firm, where he worked in accounting and finance across a variety of functions and concluded his corporate career in Treasury Operations.

After entering ordained ministry, he served in congregational operations for nearly a decade within the Diocese of California, attending to the spiritual and fiscal health of parishes while also assisting at St. Cyprian’s Church and Grace Cathedral. In February 2024, he was named Canon for Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice for the Diocese, serving as an advisor to Bishop Austin Rios and leading work on equity, multicultural ministries, and environmental justice. 

In his commitment to the mission of the URI, which he has supported as a member of the URI Foundation Board, Metoyer draws upon his multifaceted background to foster inter-faith dialogue, social reconciliation, and environmental stewardship.

His New England roots, education at Williams College (B.A.) and Church Divinity School of the Pacific (M.Div.), combined with his corporate financial acumen and his leadership in congregational and justice ministries, equip him to bridge institutional strategy and grassroots engagement.

He lives in San Francisco with his family, serves on the boards of a primary and a secondary school, and brings his lifelong love of history, and University of California - Berkeley football into a life of service anchored in community, equity and faith. 

Dr. Mindahi C. Bastida Muñoz is a respected Indigenous scholar, ceremonial leader, and global advocate for biocultural rights. A member of the Otomi–Toltec Peoples of San Pedro Tultepec, Lerma, Mexico, he serves as a traditional authority within the Grand Council of the Eagle and the Condor and works to advance the Earth Mandates across 52 major bioregions worldwide—principles received in 2013 through ceremony in the Sacred Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

He is the General Coordinator of the Otomi–Toltec Regional Council of Mexico, an Otomi–Toltec Ceremonial Officer since 1988, and a longtime caretaker of his people’s ancestral philosophy and traditions. Dr. Bastida has served as a consultant to UNESCO on Sacred Sites and biocultural protection since 2012 and has held significant academic and institutional leadership roles, including Director of Sustainable Development at the Intercultural University of Mexico State, Director of the Original Caretakers Program at the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, and Director of the Original Nations Program at The Fountain.

An internationally recognized speaker and author whose books Ancestors and Rooted in Ethics have reached audiences in multiple languages, he has written extensively on Indigenous rights, sacred sites, traditional knowledge, collective intellectual property, and intercultural education, and his work has been featured in film projects now in production.

As a member of the URI Senior Advisory Council, Dr. Bastida brings profound wisdom from Indigenous cosmologies, decades of experience in intercultural dialogue, and a global network of collaborators dedicated to protecting sacred sites and advancing ecological balance.

His history of partnership with URI—including participation in the 2018 URI-Africa interfaith event at the African Union—positions him to help strengthen URI’s engagement with original nations, deepen its commitment to Earth ethics, and support new pathways of collaboration among spiritual, cultural, and ecological leaders worldwide. Dr. Bastida’s voice and leadership

Faith Community: Roman Catholic

Karen Pajarillo is a global health and investment professional whose career bridges private enterprise and humanitarian service. With more than two decades of experience spanning public health, finance, and international development, she has led initiatives promoting maternal and child health, women’s empowerment, and equitable access to care across Asia, Africa, and the United States.

In her role with The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, Ms. Pajarillo has contributed to strategies that align social impact with responsible investment, helping mission-driven organizations scale their reach and sustainability. Previously, she held leadership positions with international NGOs and development agencies, where she designed and managed programs that linked medical innovation with community-based action. Rooted in her Catholic faith, she views compassion, justice, and service as central to both her professional and personal life.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Ms. Pajarillo brings a rare combination of business acumen and humanitarian experience to advance URI’s global mission. Her ability to connect faith-based organizations, social enterprises, and public institutions will strengthen URI’s efforts to create sustainable partnerships for peace and human development.

Through her inclusive leadership and deep commitment to service, she will help URI empower grassroots initiatives that promote health, equity, and compassion across all traditions. She currently serves as a member of the URI Foundation Board. 

Faith Community: Church of Scientology

Don Pearson is a seasoned corporate and nonprofit executive whose career has focused on leadership development, community engagement, and organizational growth. Over several decades in business management and faith-based outreach, he has helped build bridges between private enterprise and social impact organizations. Mr. Pearson has served in senior roles guiding strategic planning, communications, and leadership training within the Church of Scientology and in civic initiatives that promote ethics, education, and intergroup understanding.

His work has included fostering partnerships across sectors to address addiction recovery, literacy, and youth development, and to strengthen cooperation among diverse community institutions.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Mr. Pearson brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, public engagement, and values-based education. His commitment to cultivating moral and civic responsibility through dialogue and shared service aligns closely with URI’s mission to foster enduring peace among faith communities.

Through his leadership, network-building, and mentorship, he will help URI expand its collaborative impact and deepen its presence in local and global interfaith initiatives.

Malcolm Scovil brings more than two decades of entrepreneurial leadership and digital-media innovation to his work. He is the Founder & CEO of TLDR, Inc., a consumer education and entertainment company, and founded Imagine Golf, the leading audio platform for the mental game with a global, highly engaged user base. Malcolm also founded Leap Anywhere and Leap CR, a consumer social network and corporate social responsibility platform that helped large employers activate their workforces in skills-based volunteering.

Earlier in his career, he worked in investment banking and at Summit Partners, the global private equity firm, before serving as VP of Marketing at Tophatter and co-founding the mobile social-networking startup DailySpank. He has also been a long-time advisor to Calm, the meditation app with over 100 million users.

Across these ventures, Malcolm has developed a reputation for creating “snackable” educational products that blend storytelling, personal development, and digital innovation. His work consistently focuses on expanding access to learning and wellbeing while building communities of engaged learners.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Malcolm’s digital-media expertise, product-innovation mindset, and commitment to meaningful, accessible education will support URI’s global mission of fostering understanding, connection, and peace across cultures and traditions.

Mary Wald is a communications strategist and social impact leader with a distinguished career spanning international development, philanthropy, and interfaith advocacy. She has worked with the United Nations, Nobel Peace Laureates, and leading NGOs to promote human rights, conflict resolution, and global cooperation. As founder of The Wald Group, she has designed and led worldwide campaigns that amplify the voices of changemakers and faith leaders addressing issues from refugee protection to climate resilience.

Earlier, as Vice President for Communications at the Humpty Dumpty Institute, she partnered with Nobel Laureates, the UN, and cultural institutions to develop high-profile initiatives linking the arts, diplomacy, and humanitarian service. Her career reflects a deep belief in the power of communication to connect hearts, bridge divides, and inspire global citizenship.

As a member of URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Ms. Wald brings world-class expertise in storytelling, diplomacy, and public engagement to advance URI’s mission of interfaith peacebuilding. Her experience collaborating with Nobel Laureates and international leaders uniquely positions her to strengthen URI’s global voice and partnerships. Through her leadership and creative vision, she will help URI broaden its reach, amplify its message of unity, and mobilize new audiences in pursuit of a more compassionate and cooperative world.