MICHAEL BERGMAN
1200 N. Herndon St. #126
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: 703.944.3995 · mickeybergman@gmail.com
EXPERIENCE
SOLEL STRATEGIC GROUP
Founder & President
Washington, DC, September 2007 - Present
• Founded Solel Strategic Group - a consulting firm dedicated to international conflict mitigation and project development.
• Designing and implementing Solel's business plan, including developing client relations and building the Group's portfolio.
• Advising Governor Bill Richardson on issues pertaining to the Middle East and Africa.
• Consulting the Aspen Institute Middle East Strategy Group on developing the United States - Palestinian Public-Private Partnership. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State , UPP aims at building an economic horizon for the Palestinians. Responsibilities include developing relationships with high-level corporate leaders and assisting them in strategic planning for investing in Palestinian business.
• Managing the Clinton Global Initiative University program and annual conferences from topic concepts to program implementation, including managing a team of 10 program professionals.
• Consulted The Elders on issues pertaining to their mission to the Middle East and Sudan, including developing and implementing their strategy for conflict intervention.
CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Director of Congressional Relations and Senior Policy Analyst
Washington, DC, January 2006 - September 2007
• Designed and managed the Center's Congressional Relations program through the building and fostering of personal relationships.
• Planned and implemented visits by Israeli political leaders to the Unites States - meeting with U.S. Administration, Congressional, community and media leaders.
• Planned Congressional visits to the Middle East; including Israel, Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia.
• Initiated and maintained track-two and back-channel contacts for exchange of information and messages in times of crisis in order to promote Middle East peace and end of conflict.
• Briefed members of U.S. Congress and their staff on Middle East issues, events and initiatives.
• Wrote and published analysis papers and policy recommendations to promote the Middle East peace process.
• Developed, managed and edited the Middle East Bulletin - a daily online newsletter highlighting news, progressive voices and original commentary on resolving the Middle East conflict. Project done in conjunction with the Center for American Progress.
GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON'S DIPLOMATIC DELEGATION
Specialist
Khartoum, Sudan, January 2007
• Traveled with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson on a mission to Sudan to broker a cease-fire agreement in Darfur.
• Advised and planned negotiation strategies in four fields: cease-fire implementation, political framework for a peace agreement, incorporation of United Nations and African Union forces, and streamlining humanitarian aid operations.
• Negotiated a joint statement on behalf of Governor Richardson with Sudan's President, Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, and leaders of rebel groups in Darfur.
• Briefed press on progress during the mission at press-conferences in Khartoum and New Mexico.
CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE
Deputy Chair; Mitigating Religious and Ethnic Conflict
Washington, DC, December 2005 - December 2006
Deputy Topic Director; Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation
Washington, DC, May 2005 - December 2005
• Designed and planned the Clinton Global Initiative's tracks on Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation, and Mitigating Religious and Ethnic Conflict.
• Developed workshops and seminars aimed at finding new ways of engaging religious communities in conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, and global development.
• Negotiated and secured private-sector commitments for projects in the field of humanitarian aid, sustainable development, conflict resolution and social reconciliation, totaling $262.5 million.
• Consulted and presented the Clinton Global Initiative to high-level policy-makers, political, religious and NGO leaders.
KNESSET MEMBER AMI AYALON
U.S. Coordinator
Washington, DC, July 2006 - Present
• Coordinate all aspects of KM Ami Ayalon's campaign for leadership of Israel's Labor Party in the United States. This includes: political, policy, fundraising and media affairs.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS , Mission in Chad/Darfur
Volunteer
Guerada, Chad, October 2005 - Present
• Committed to raise $50,000 for the benefit of the Darfurian refugees by visiting the field, reporting back to communities in the U.S., and raising funds for the International Medical Corps. Commitment made under the Clinton Global Initiative.
• Interviewed and assessed the needs of the refugees, the host population and the workers of the non-governmental organizations functioning in the field. Recommended and lobbied for new projects and policy shifts with the NGO community and policy-makers in the United States.
• Raised funds through public and personal addresses in order to build a health-center in Am-Nabak in Eastern Chad.
• Lobbied for Israeli legislation securing the status and rights of Sudanese refugees crossing the border from Egypt.
AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE, Policy and Government Relations Office
Special Project, Volunteer
Washington, DC, March 2005 - May 2005
• Recommended policy initiatives and framework to influence negotiations and ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement and free trade agreements at large.
PHILIPS ELECTRONICS , Government Relations Office
Intern
Washington, DC, February 2005 - May 2005
• Developed and presented strategies for post-conflict reconstruction projects in Iraq, including U.S. Government contracts for building hospitals, medical equipment and training of local operators.
• Researched international trade issues, such as the Information Technology Agreement at the Doha round of the WTO, and their implications for Philips Electronics.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY , School of Foreign Service
Teaching Assistant , International Trade Theory and Policy (ECON 542-01)
Washington, DC, August - December 2004
• Provided support to Prof. Alan Fox with teaching, grading and office hours for graduate level course.
WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
Research Assistant
Washington, DC, January - August 2004
• Researched the conflict in the Middle East for Ambassador Dennis Ross and Senior Fellow David Makovsky.
• Managed special project delineating several paths to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict including creating and drawing maps that account for geography, demography, humanitarian hardship and economic growth.
BRANDEIS-BARDIN INSTITUTE
Program Director , Brandeis Collegiate Institute
Brandeis, CA, August 2001 - June 2003
• Created a summer program for 130 eighteen to twenty-four year-olds, to explore contemporary issues, such as, leadership, the environment and Jewish identity through academic lectures, work and the arts.
• Recruited students from the U.S. and abroad (Australia, Argentina, Uzbekistan, Sweden and Israel).
• Hired guest lecturers including professors, artists and community leaders, and supervised staff.
• Taught seminars pertaining to history, politics, ethics and values.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR PEACE AND TOLERANCE
Co-Founder
Jerusalem, Israel, July 1999 - July 2001
• Developed and implemented a working plan for the establishment of the International School.
• Planned the school's curriculum including the studies of peace, conflict resolution and economic integration.
NATIONAL FORUM OF AGREEMENT AND CO-EXISTENCE
Member
Jerusalem, Israel, July 2000 - July 2001
• Created a program to minimize gaps between Jews and Arabs through business integration and educational initiatives.
ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
Israel , July 1994 - August 2000
Captain - Commander of Officer Course - January 2000 - August 2000
• Created and commanded a course for Artillery officers.
• Led live-fire training including artillery, air force and tank fire for 30 officer cadets.
• Evaluated and mentored cadets on their leadership skills and performances under fire.
Captain - Commander of Combat Unit - September 1998 - January 2000
• Commanded a combat unit of 120 soldiers, including 6 officers and 24 sergeants.
• Led teams through combat and rescue operations including ground and air support.
• Created and taught programs reinforcing the army's code of ethics and values.
Lieutenant - Artillery Officer -Paratroopers Commando Unit - May 1997 - September 1998
• Built the Artillery and Air Force support plan for special operations.
• Graduated 1 st for excellence in leadership and academic skills in the Advanced Officers' Course.
• Received Army Recognition of Contribution award for support of Israeli forces in Lebanon.
EDUCATION
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY , School of Foreign Service
Washington, DC, May 2005
Master of Science in Foreign Service
Foreign Policy, Conflict Management, Conflict Prevention, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Management of International Intervention
Karl F. Landegger Certificate in International Business Diplomacy
Political and Economic Risk Analysis, Business Government Relations, Investment Negotiations, International Trade and Finance, Business Accounting and Finance
Certificate in International Development Skills
Project Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, Participatory Learning and Action
• Andrew S. Gundlach Fellow, Dean's Award for Academic Excellency GPA: 3.75
UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, CA, June 2003
Bachelor of Arts , Political Science; International Relations
• Summa Cum Laude , Honors Collegium Program, Provost's Honors List (for four consecutive quarters), Golden Key International Honors Society, GPA 3.84
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Wexner Graduate Fellow, Class XVI Wexner Foundation, May 2003 - January 2007. Awarded a full academic scholarship and entrance into highly competitive fellowship for emerging Jewish leaders.
Publications:
Bergman, Michael. "Realism Must Rule in Engaging Syria." The Boston Globe 23 July 2008
Bergman, Michael. "The Business of Peace." The Aspen Idea Magazine Summer 2008: 44-49
Bergman, Michael, and Dan Rothem. "Smart Separation." Middle East Bulletin 7 Sept. 2007
Atallah, Amjad, and Michael Bergman. "The Arab Summit and Kick-Starting Peace in Darfur." Daily Star (Lebanon) 29 Mar. 2007
Jawabri, Bushra M., and Michael Bergman "Opportunities Exist in Hamas Victory." Jewish Journal 24 Feb. 2006
Profile Article:
Schneider, Tal. "Richardson's Israeli Gunner." Ma'ariv 26 Oct. 2007
