Bryan Sims

As Senior Manager, Peacebuilding at Humanity United, Bryan leads HU’s initiatives bridging collective nonviolent action and inclusive social contracts.

Bryan has fifteen years of experience in the fields of human rights, democracy and governance, including experience in program strategy, design, and management; producing cutting-edge analysis on political trends, setbacks, progress, and concerns; and has a proven professional commitment to creating positive social impact.

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 South African leaders.

Bryan received 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.