Peace Education and Action Center

PEAC Board of Directors

Nat J. Colletta:  Dr. Colletta is an international expert on conflict, peace building and development. He was founding Manager of the World Bank’s Post Conflict Unit where he played a key role in pioneering and managing the Bank’s policy toward assistance in war to peace transitions. He is currently advising several International Agencies (including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, UNDP and UNICEF) and Governments ( Indonesia and the Philippines , among others) on conflict prevention and post conflict reconstruction. Among his books are: “War to Peace Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa” (1996); “Violent Conflict and the Transformation of Social Capital: Lessons from Cambodia , Guatemala , Rwanda , and Somalia ” (2000); “Social Cohesion and Conflict Prevention in Asia : Managing Diversity through Development” (2001); and “Privatizing Peace: From Conflict to Security (2002). He was a Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Woodrow Wilson School , Princeton University and is currently teaching at New College of Florida.

Sharon Fitzpatrick:  A resident of Sarasota area since 2001, Sharon Fitzpatrick has developed interest in environmental and agricultural issues by managing an organic nursery, working with UF/IFAS on several projects and recently initiating an edible/native landscape business.  As clerk of Peace and Social Concerns Committee within the local Quaker community, she has provided speakers, concerts, and other events, while establishing connections with peacemakers in the area. Accepting the position of vice-chair for the Southwest Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice and maintaining membership in other peace groups, Sharon Fitzpatrick has transformed her lifestyle to focus entirely on environmental and peace issues.  Her intention with PEAC is to provide opportunities for environmental work within the schools at all levels while offering an Earth-friendly agenda for some of the activities at the center itself.

Mercedes Frace: Ms. Frace, an NVC Practitioner/facilitator and mediator, is a CNVC-registered trainer candidate with 4 years of Nonviolent Communication training. She is on CNVC’s English-speaking Western Circle , and familiar with Open Space Technology and methods of Sociocracy. Mercedes is chair of Suncoast NVC, a member of the Coalition for Inclusion & Diversity in Sarasota and co-founded Banyan Learning Guild (an alternative educational 501c3 in 2002). Mercedes is a mother who volunteers as a programmer at WSLR community radio, is a MLS and has worked in medical administration for over 20 years, is a Certified Herbalist, and owner of Compassionflower Communications. 

Beverly Hill:  Ms. Hill is a Ph.D. candidate in the USF Department of Anthropology, studying Applied Medical Anthropology and performing research in Biocultural Medical Anthropology.  She has worked as an evaluator of community health programs on a Closing the Gap grant through the State of Florida, she has held the position of Instructor at both the University of South Florida, where she served as the Interim Coordinator of Wellness Leadership from 2001-2003, and the University of Tennessee, where she was an adjunct instructor in health education courses and earned her Master’s degree in Secondary Health Education.  She has also worked on various grant projects, including as a Trainer of Teachers in HIV/AIDS Prevention, Youth Risk Behavior, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management.

Drew Hudson:  Mr. Hudson is a single father who plays music as a way of celebrating justice and building community.  He makes his living by doing small-scale remodeling.  Mr. Hudson's previous experience includes several types of faith-based not-for-profit work.  Out of college, he ran an inner-city food box program for five years.  Mr. Hudson then continued food work by running a low-income gardening program.  He also co-managed the Portland Catholic Worker house, a unique living community that brought intellectuals and the homeless together.

Arlene Sweeting:  Ms. Sweeting is the Station Manager at WSLR 96.5 Sarasota’s community radio station. Arlene taught public school for 7 years in Manatee County and was a Candidate for the Florida State House of Representatives in 2000 and 2002, receiving the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the local Green Party, the Florida League of Conservation Voters, the Manatee Education Association, and the Florida Consumer Action Network. She served as Chair of the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee in Manatee County , and was appointed to serve on the Steering Committee of the Manatee County ’s Visioning Process. She founded and operated Fogartyville Café, a progressive community coffeehouse in Bradenton from 2002-2007.  In addition to the Peace Center, Arlene serves on the Board of the Jefferson Center , a non-profit that provides affordable housing to low-income seniors.