Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

References

Timeline

Hi, I’m

Elizabeth Shillings

Falls Church,USA

Summary

Dynamic program manager with proven expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and leading complex projects across international settings. Skilled at overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, streamlining internal operations, and advising leadership on organizational priorities. Experienced in cross-cultural communication and stakeholder engagement, and known for balancing multiple roles simultaneously and delivering results in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Program Manager, Center for Russia and Europe

10.2023 - Current

Job overview

Simultaneously fulfilled responsibilities in three roles: managing center-wide resources and operations, and leading programs in Ukraine and the South Caucasus.
Designed and facilitated the center-wide strategic planning process, and created and managed the center’s strategic budget. Advised senior leadership on strategic and budgetary matters.
Facilitated center operations through leading recruitment, coordinating seating assignments, orienting new staff, and supervising research assistants.
Served as a liaison to the executive office and supported operational teams including finance, HR, IT, and operations.
Designed and directed a $1.5 million program to provide dialogue facilitation, capacity-building, and networking support to civil society in Ukraine, including contract procurement, progress tracking, cross-cultural relationship management, budget management, and monitoring and evaluation.
Co-designed and provided regional expertise for a youth leadership training in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Conducted regular meetings with team members to review progress and address any issues or concerns.
Negotiated contracts and agreements with vendors

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Sr. Program Specialist, Center for Russia & Europe

01.2023 - 10.2023

Job overview

Managed the implementation of a $500k program aimed at preparing Armenian and Azerbaijani youth for peace, including intra-country dialogue and the creation of virtual peacebuilding courses.
Drafted technical white papers related to negotiation strategy.
Coordinated activities among multiple departments to ensure successful completion of projects.

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Program Specialist, Peace Processes

12.2021 - 01.2023

Job overview

Collaborated on the design and implementation of programmatic activities, and facilitated the strategic planning process.
Oversaw team finances by creating an effective burn rate tracking system and directing contracting processes.
Collaborated with other departments within organization on cross-functional projects.

U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC

Research Fellow, Negotiation Support

05.2022 - 08.2022

Job overview

Wrote a policy brief on obtaining public support for a negotiated settlement in a conflict context, using comparative case studies.
Drafted recommendations for managing civilian-military relations, and options for facilitating transitional governance in an African peace process.
Facilitated the creation of a negotiation simulation with a focus on tactics to overcome resistance to women’s inclusion in peace processes

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Sr. Program Assistant, Peace Processes

05.2021 - 12.2021

Job overview

Collaborated in designing a confidence-building mechanism focused on promoting conflict-sensitive journalism, and on a technical regional dialogue initiative to advance the peace process in a European conflict.
Supported team experts in providing capacity-building, strategic advising, and mediation support services to actors in Cameroon, Venezuela, Yemen, Afghanistan, and more, to advance their respective peace processes.
Organized and maintained program files, databases, and records.

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Program Assistant, Peace Processes

11.2019 - 05.2021

Job overview

Conducted desk research, drafted conflict analyses, proposals, and policy notes, and managed logistical details.
Facilitated team operations by procuring contracts, leading peer-review processes, coordinating schedules, and planning events

United States Institute of Peace
Washington, DC

Program Assistant, Civilian-Military Relations

04.2019 - 11.2019

Job overview

Coordinated logistics for an inter-organizational tabletop exercise in the Red Sea region, including scheduling meetings, tracking project progress, and communicating with participants.
Maintained detailed records of all program activities, data collection, and evaluation results.

Search for Common Ground
Washington, DC

Policy and Advocacy Intern

01.2019 - 04.2019

Job overview

Conducted research and supported the production of written products, such as grant reports, policy documents, and internal strategies.
Supported the monitoring of policy outreach, attended and executed relevant public events.

Education

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Master of Arts from Conflict Resolution

05-2023

University Overview

Wheaton College
Wheaton

Bachelor of Arts from Business & Economics

12-2019

University Overview

Skills

Program management
Budget management
Stakeholder engagement
Strategic planning
Conflict resolution

Report writing
Contract negotiation
Monitoring and evaluation
Cross-cultural communication
Operational efficiency

Accomplishments

Publication: “Best Practices in the Measurement and Evaluation of Track Two Dialogues: Towards a ‘Reflective Practice Model,“ International Negotiation Journal, Dec 2020
Panel Presentation: International Studies Association Conference 2021