A social change entrepreneur whose practice is devoted to the application of the science of Chaos and Complexity in order to encourage the emergence of a more holistic, compassionate world.
Merle holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. and has been a mediator, facilitator, and leadership trainer in conflict zones around the world. She served in the Carter White House on a special project for the President, and was appointed Guest Scientist and Affiliate at the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
She is Founder and President of the Center for Emergent Diplomacy, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S., testing new processes to assist negotiations on global issues resistant to peacemaking. She worked in Bosnia during the war, in the N. Ireland peace process, in Central America, and is presently facilitating environmental restoration on Navajo indian land, as well as peace building workshops in Israel and Palestine. Merle is a member of the Upaya Zen Center Board, where she teaches in the Buddhist Chaplaincy Program. She is a consultant to the Chaplains in the Canadian Army, and her experience includes work in environmental conflict management and workshops in ‘Complexity, Spirituality, and Compassion’.
Merle is doing work internationally with a strong connection to Bhutan’s initiative for Gross National Happiness (GNH). In April 2012 Merle facilitated the GNH Planning Group for Rio + 20 at the UN in April on behalf of the Bhutanese government.