Meet the Newest Members of the PPF Community!
At the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, our mission for peace and justice thrives through the amazing people who join our work. We’re excited to introduce Mudit Suri, our newest staff member, as well as three new residents: Chijioke Elekwa Agbaeze, Marissa, and Sheila Melendez. Each of them brings unique gifts and deep commitment to our shared mission. Let’s get to know them!
Mudit Suri, Accompaniment Strategist
Mudit Suri (he/him/his) joins PPF as the new part time Accompaniment Strategist. He is originally from India and is currently based in Illinois with his family which includes his wife, his two-year-old daughter, and two dogs. Prior to joining PPF, Mudit worked at the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) where he managed multilateral armed violence prevention programs in the region. His work focused on preventing gun violence in schools, implementing trainings on preventing gender-based violence, and providing technical assistance to Member States of the region to meet their obligations under international disarmament treaties.
Mudit has also served at the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia where he monitored, reported, and advanced the implementation of the Final Peace Accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP). At the Mission in Colombia, Mudit managed a remote field office, leading a small team of international experts and also provided operational support to four field offices from the Mission headquarters in Bogota. Mudit is fluent in Spanish and Hindi. In his free time, he enjoys going on hikes with his family and improving his cooking skills.
Chijioke Elekwa Agbaeze, PPF Resident supporting the Lost & Found Project
Chijioke Elekwa Agbaeze (he/him/his) is a theologian, pastor, and ecologist dedicated to community-centered ministry and inspiring care for our common home. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Theology and Ecology at Princeton Theological Seminary, Chijioke explores the intersection of faith and ecological advocacy, aiming to foster resilient, faith-driven responses to social and environmental challenges. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, he brings valuable experience in worship leadership and technology to his role as a PPF Resident supporting the Lost & Found Project.
Sheila Melendez, PPF Resident supporting the Lost & Found Project
Sheila Melendez is a singer, conductor, and worship leader from the Baltimore/DC area. She grew up singing in various churches, directing praise bands for worship services, and studying music from a young age. Additionally, she has performed with Latin Jazz groups, held roles in Operas, and has been a soloist for major choral works. Ms. Sheila worked with several community choirs from beginner to professional chamber groups in the Denver area. She is currently the choir director at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, WV and an adjunct voice faculty at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD.
Marissa Gutierrez-Vicario, Artist in Residence for 2024-2025
Marissa (she/her) is a human rights and peace-building activist, artist, educator, and advocate for youth. Recently, she was an Artist-in-Residence at the Initiative for a Just Society at the Center for Contemporary Critical Thought at Columbia University. Marissa also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the City College of New York in the Art Education department.
Marissa holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Southern California, an M.P.A. from the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently a Doctoral Fellow and Lecturer in the Art and Art Education department at Teachers College, Columbia University.
