Staff
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Cannon holds an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, an MBA from North Park University’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an MA in bioethics from Trinity International University. She received her first doctorate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine and her second doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary. She is the author of several books including the award-winning Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World and editor of A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Leadership Magazine, The Christian Post, Jerusalem Post, EU Parliament Magazine, Huffington Post, and other international media outlets.
Anna earned her Master's in International Development from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining CMEP, Anna was a high school English teacher and worked for an educational non-profit focused on supporting survivors of child exploitation. She believes that when we know better, we can begin to do better, and having access to accurate information is the first step in that journey.
Prior to joining CMEP, Emily most recently worked as a full-time freelance writer. With bylines on sites like Refinery29, Business Insider, and Giddy, she loves to explore the intersection of human health, wellness, and lifestyle. She holds a BA in English Literature from St. Joseph's College. She currently resides in rural New Hampshire with her two cats, Bool and Noodle. When not working, Emily enjoys cooking with local ingredients, reading, and planning her next trip. She is so grateful to have the opportunity to utilize both her background in development and her passion for social justice in her work at CMEP.
Christine previously worked in different industries such as philanthropic and development organizations, fundraising and grant management roles, and a venture capital firm. She worked with NGOs, Religious Ministries, and 500 Global. She is actively involved in civic engagement activities in Egypt and globally. Her driving force is to shape a better future for those struggling and in need.
Fellows
Tala is a Ph.D. candidate in West and South Asian Religions (WSAR) at Emory University, where she also earned her MTS. Her research examines how Palestinian Americans interact with Christian Zionism at the intersection of American religion and politics. As a Palestinian Christian, she is excited to be a fellow at CMEP and engage in advocacy work. In her spare time, you can find her teaching her dog Banksy new tricks, hiking, or baking.