By Reet Hardik Desai, Student in the M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program, School of Professional Studies
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (NECR) alumni carry their training into a wide range of professional pathways, applying conflict resolution skills across sectors, regions, and career stages. For some, the program sparks new collaborations that extend far beyond the classroom. The story of Maya Viswa (’23SPS) and Heather Hoffman illustrates how NECR’s emphasis on theory, practice, and relationship-building can evolve into innovative, real-world work—transforming a classroom dialogue into a global peacebuilding partnership.
Maya Viswa and Heather Hoffman first met when Heather led a workshop for the NECR program when Maya was a student. What began as a discussion about the Israel-Palestine conflict quickly developed into a continuing conversation about the divisions in the peacebuilding industry and the need for more resilient, trauma-informed, and culturally aware approaches to conflict work. Hoffman Viswa Peace Partners, a consultancy that supports humanitarian and human rights groups through conflict resolution, organizational resilience-building, and crisis-response capacity, was finally founded as a result of their shared interest and an unexpected opportunity. Their experience embodies the essence of NECR, which combines professional practice, theory, and interpersonal relationships.
The project came about naturally when Maya, who was on Amnesty International's conflict resolution roster, asked Heather to work with her on internal communication and conflict transformation projects during a very delicate organizational period. Their work swiftly illustrated the benefits of incorporating structured discussion, systems thinking, organizational development, and psychotherapy-informed techniques into humanitarian situations. They are currently working with organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Four pillars comprise their practice: crisis-response training, organizational development, conflict resolution and facilitation, and restorative and creative techniques, including storytelling-based healing and narrative circles.
The NECR program continues to have a fundamental impact on their work. They regard the program's global diversity as a formative factor in their capacity to work across cultures and contexts, drawing directly from conflict mapping, intervention design, cultural intelligence, and practical facilitation approaches Maya learned in class. Both characterize NECR as transformative—a unique setting where experiential learning and intellectual rigor collide, equipping them to handle complexity with humility and sensitivity.
Their professional and personal ideas have also been influenced by their collaboration. Despite their disparate ages and professional backgrounds, they purposefully set an example of a non-hierarchical collaboration, using experience rather than seniority to inform choices. Their worldwide work necessitates ongoing adaptation, including doing in-depth culture study, overcoming language obstacles through live translation, and establishing settings where trust is strengthened by curiosity and clarifying questions. The growing number of younger practitioners in peacebuilding settings, which they believe is crucial for representation and creativity, particularly inspires them. In the future, they want to increase the number of clients they serve, develop their staff, and start a series of humanitarian interviews with professionals who are on the front lines of care and war.
The story of Maya and Heather serves as an example of what may happen when a brave relationship and a solid academic foundation are combined. Through Hoffman Viswa Peace Partners, they assist organizations in redefining conflict as a chance for greater relational integrity, resilience, and alignment rather than as disruption. For present and future NECR students, their experience conveys an important lesson: progress stems from humility, curiosity, and the ability and compassion to deal with suffering. One discussion, one exchange, and one reestablished friendship at a time, their work demonstrates that peacebuilding is not just about resolving crises but also about bolstering the human structures that carry missions forward.
Views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia University School of Professional Studies or Columbia University.
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution prepares students to analyze the root causes and dynamics of conflict and to transform disputes through reasoned and resourceful interventions. The program focuses on developing self-awareness, tenacity, and interpersonal competency; building common ground; opening lines of communication; ensuring representation and recognition; and building sustainable possibilities for resolution.
The priority application deadline for the M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program is January 15, with a final deadline of May 1. The program has on-campus and online (with residency) modality options. Learn more about the program here.
