Michael Sherwin Rise to Peace

Michael R. Sherwin, Founding Board Member 

Michael R. Sherwin, a distinguished career prosecutor and national security expert, serves as a Founding Board Member of Rise to Peace, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to countering terrorism and promoting peace worldwide. Sherwin has been a steadfast supporter of Ahmad Shah Mohibi’s vision since the organization’s inception 8 years ago, their partnership rooted in shared counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan. In 2011, while Mohibi fought terrorism on the ground, Sherwin was detailed to the U.S. Department of State by Attorney General Eric Holder to assist the Afghanistan Attorney General’s Office, supporting the prosecution of several hundred terrorism trials before a specially convened Afghan judicial tribunal outside Bagram. This shared experience forged a deep commitment to peace that continues through their work at Rise to Peace.

Sherwin’s career in law enforcement began in 2008 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida (Miami), where he prosecuted high-profile cases, including multi-million-dollar securities and government contractor fraud matters. He supervised the largest federal health-care fraud strike force in the U.S., leading the nation in health care fraud indictments and seized assets. As a member of the National Security Section, Sherwin tackled economic espionage and counter-intelligence cases, collaborating with intelligence services in Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, South Korea, and France.

Prior to his appointment as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in March 2020, Sherwin advised Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen on national security matters as Associate Deputy Attorney General. As Acting U.S. Attorney, he oversaw the largest U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country, leading historic cases, including the largest seizure of illicit Iranian petroleum in U.S. history, the Department’s first seizure of illicit cryptocurrency linked to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, and charges against Libyan national Abu Agela Masud, the alleged bomb-maker in the 1988 Pan AM 103 bombing that killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland. Sherwin’s final DOJ assignment was as the chief prosecutor for all criminal cases related to the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, where his office filed over 400 cases and executed more than 500 search warrants in under 10 weeks.

At Rise to Peace, Sherwin has made substantial contributions, shaping the organization’s strategic framework, moderating panels, speaking at events, drafting key projects, and mentoring hundreds of interns and fellows. His guidance has been instrumental in supporting the nonprofit’s 610 team members, producing 600+ reports, hosting 40+ events, and reaching millions through media appearances on CNN and FOX. Sherwin’s leadership and dedication have significantly advanced Rise to Peace’s mission to counter terrorism and promote peace in conflict zones worldwide, working alongside Shah to create a safer, more just global community.

The Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in the governance and strategic direction of Rise to Peace, adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act. With a focus on national and international activities, the board actively oversees the organization, establishing long-term goals and priorities while ensuring compliance with financial, administrative, and personnel policies. Furthermore, the board holds the authority to approve significant program initiatives and make final decisions regarding the selection of Institute grantees and fellows. Regular meetings, as well as conference calls, are conducted four times a year to foster discussions and decision-making regarding the organization’s programs and projects.


Elizabeth Carter

Board Member

Elizabeth Carter is a strategic development leader and veteran proposal expert who has played a vital role in advancing the mission of Rise to Peace since its early days. She first joined the organization as Director of Development, where she led fundraising operations and shaped the foundation of its global counterterrorism and peacebuilding efforts. In this role, Elizabeth identified key sponsorship opportunities, assessed organizational needs, and authored successful grant proposals to fund educational and humanitarian programs both in the U.S. and internationally.

Her impact helped lay the groundwork for Rise to Peace’s growth, and she continues to guide its direction as a valued board member—bringing over 15 years of federal contracting, grant strategy, and operational leadership to the team.

Outside of Rise to Peace, Elizabeth serves as Proposal Manager at Sealaska Government Services, where she manages large-scale federal proposal operations. Her prior roles include senior positions at WSP USA, Historical Research Associates, SENTEL Corporation, and Trace Systems, where she led winning bids worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Her work consistently bridges mission-driven impact with business excellence.

Elizabeth’s career also includes the development of a global corporate social responsibility program and extensive experience in business transformation, team leadership, and strategic planning. Her ongoing commitment to humanitarian values and operational precision makes her an indispensable force behind Rise to Peace’s long-term success.

Richard McCrensky

Board Member

Richard McCresnky is a seasoned U.S. diplomat with over 35 years of service at the U.S. Department of State, bringing unmatched expertise in international relations, political analysis, energy security, and counterterrorism strategy. As a board member of Rise to Peace, Richard offers deep geopolitical insight and decades of frontline diplomatic experience to help guide the organization’s global peacebuilding mission.

Most recently, he served as Senior Advisor to the State Department’s Energy Bureau, where he authored key interagency intelligence reports on energy vulnerabilities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including detailed analyses of ISIS’s oil monetization and distribution strategies. His work directly informed U.S. counterterrorism policies and was widely circulated among military and intelligence agencies, including CENTCOM.

Throughout his distinguished diplomatic career, Richard held pivotal roles in some of the world’s most complex conflict zones. As Chief of the Political/Economic Section at the U.S. Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, he provided in-depth political assessments used by senior U.S. leaders—including Secretary John Kerry—and spearheaded the launch of Afghanistan’s first Junior Achievement program to support youth economic development. As Deputy Senior Syria Advisor, he authored reports on ISIS’s emergence and Syria’s energy networks that were used to shape U.S. and allied policy responses.

His assignments also include key diplomatic posts in Iran, Palau, Bosnia, Japan, and Libya, where he led trade negotiations, energy policy reporting, public diplomacy initiatives, and security cooperation programs. In Bosnia, he oversaw the implementation of the U.S.-sponsored Train and Equip Program and a multi-million-dollar humanitarian demining initiative.

Richard holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Trinity College. His strategic thinking, deep field experience, and commitment to global security make him an invaluable asset to Rise to Peace and its mission to counter violent extremism worldwide.