Bryan Sims

As Director, Peacebuilding Partnerships at Humanity United, Bryan leads HU’s initiatives bridging collective nonviolent action and inclusive peace processes.

Bryan has nearly two decades of experience delivering evidence-based analysis to support adaptive, agile, and locally-led programming to promote stability, peace, and democracy in countries affected by authoritarianism, crisis, and protracted violent conflict. He is driven by, and passionate about, leading change, leveraging networks, and solving complex problems.

Prior to joining HU, Bryan managed democracy support initiatives in southern Africa, where he lived and completed his PhD, coordinating human rights, conflict mitigation, and governance programs funded by USAID, the Department of State, and other bilateral agencies. During that time, he specifically worked on the intersection between xenophobia, migration and violence in South Africa, as well as critical constitutional and judicial reform issues on the continent. He has designed public opinion research and provided extensive briefings to the private sector, donors, inter-agency bodies, and the international diplomatic corps, which shaped donor investments and civil society priorities; published on democracy and governance issues; and funded and supported civil society capacity building in repressive environments. Previously, Bryan co-founded an international non-profit to strengthen leadership skills and cross-community relationships for diverse young leaders affected by violent conflict.

Bryan received his doctorate from Stellenbosch University and his master’s degree, with honors, in international conflict from the University of Kent, Canterbury. He received his bachelor’s degree in international relations and political science from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.