Nicole Mechem

Nicole has been with IREX since February of 2006 and currently manages the Community Solutions Program, a US Department of State funded global leadership program that supports and encourages initiatives organized by young civic and community leaders currently working to address the economic, environmental, political, and social challenges confronting their respective local communities. Nicole also supports the Uniting Communities to Mitigate Conflict (UCMC) program in Somalia, a USAID funded project that engages women and youth to address clan differences and promote positive approaches to resolving and avoiding conflict. She is the Co-Chair of IREX’s Conflict Community of Practice.  

Prior to her role as Senior Program Officer she served as IREX’s first proposal recruiter where she worked in close partnership with IREX staff to achieve recruitment objectives by conducting effective screening, interviewing, and assessments for the best candidates. Previously Nicole served as the Director of IREX’s field office in Tbilisi, Georgia where she screened, hired and managed staff, as well as managed IREX/Georgia’s education programs portfolio. Before joining IREX in early 2006, Nicole served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Telavi, Georgia where she collaborated with Georgian counterpart teachers to lesson plan and instruct English language courses.  

Nicole holds an MA degree in International Development Studies from George Washington University and a dual BA degree in Government and Spanish from California State University, Sacramento.