Catalina Lemaitre

Catalina Lemaitre, a graduate of SPP’s Peace Operations Policy Program, is currently the Director of Operations for the DC-based International Peace Operations Association (IPOA). The organization’s mission is to promote high standards in the peace operations industry and to inform the public and policy-makers about skilled private companies and their contributions to international peace and human security. To that end, IPOA works with a variety of service companies that work in conflict and post-conflict environments around the world to provide help with construction, mine action, logistics and security.

“It is a privilege to work somewhere were the end goal is always to make peace operations better,” says Lemaitre, who helps the IPOA to focus its efforts on the most crucial projects and to distribute its limited resources wisely. “I personally believe that the private sector has significant capabilities that should be used to assist governments in ending conflicts and rebuilding nations.”

She believes the training she received at SPP has been invaluable to her as she tackles the challenges of her job. “The historical knowledge of peace operations I gained at SPP allows me to understand, in context, the challenges being faced by many countries today such as Iraq, Sudan, and Afghanistan,” she says. “I can use this knowledge to relate to our members, to carry out research projects, to put together interesting events that benefit people working in peace operations, and to help find better solutions for the challenges faced by our member companies on the ground.”

Originally from Cartagena, Colombia, Lemaitre received her Master’s degree from SPP; she focused on post-conflict reconstruction and development. Her previous employment includes posts at the National Institute of Justice and in the Risk Management division of JP Morgan Investor Services.

To learn more about IPOA, please visit their web site: www.IPOAonline.org.