About the Authors

• Author: Barbara Tint
• Profession: Professor of Conflict Resolution at Portland State University and an international trainer, consultant, and facilitator
• Pages: 7-10

If people come together, they can even

mend a crack in the sky.

— SOMALI PROVERB

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Marie Abijuru is a U.S. citizen from Rwanda. She is currently working at the

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), and she volunteers with

Resolutions Northwest, a unique organization providing a wide range of mediation

and facilitation services to help Portland area community members find solutions to

conflict. She was one of the first participants when the African Diaspora Dialogue

Project was launched, and served as a facilitator for the second group from the Great

Lakes. Marie’s dream is to speak out for peace and justice, and to help refugees and

immigrants to feel at home and work together for their success. Marie was named

Person of the Year in 2009 by the Rwandan community.

Daniel Amine is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He

did both undergraduate and graduate studies, in business administration and conflict

resolution respectively, at Portland State University. He dedicates his time and energy

to bridging gaps between cultures and building relationships among different

immigrant groups struggling for justice and equality. He formerly worked at IRCO/

Africa House and was a member of the State of Oregon refugee advisory council.

Diana Bianco has almost 20 years of experience in policy development, management,

advocacy, community relations, and communications. She has practiced law,

directed issue campaigns, and provided guidance and strategic direction to

nonprofits and government agencies. Through Artemis Consulting, Diana helps

clients analyze and manage policy and program direction, improve communication

and collaboration through conflict resolution and facilitation of meetings, and

devise advocacy strategies. Diana is a certified Transitions Coach and, working with

the Andrus Family Fund, helps organizations apply the William Bridges’ Transition

Framework to community reconciliation efforts and foster care programs.

Vincent Chirimwami is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He

arrived in the United States in 2004 and lives in Beaverton, Oregon. Vincent is a