Michael Keel is the Director of Programming & Training for Peace Corps Cambodia. Peace Corps is a United States federal government agency whose mission is to promote world peace and friendship through community-based development and intercultural understanding. Michael overseas the training, support, and assignments of American Volunteers who serve for 2 years at public schools in underserved communities across Cambodia. Currently there are 70 Volunteers in Cambodia teaching English at primary and secondary schools and training Cambodian teachers of English at teacher training colleges while living with host families. Volunteers also conduct extracurricular activities and lead small projects alongside Cambodian counterparts to meet locally defined needs and develop the professional and life skills of students and community members. Michael has been working for Peace Corps in Cambodia for 4 years. He was a Volunteer himself in China (2011-2014) and has been working for international development agencies and organizations for the last 14 years including Peace Corps HQ, USAID, Chemonics, Dexis, and EnCompass LLC. Michael has a M.A. in Sustainable Development from the School of International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute and is passionate about participatory and inclusive community. development, organizational and leadership development, facilitating intercultural learning, and coaching and mentoring young professionals. Michael will be speaking in the session on selecting, preparing and supporting volunteers to work in demanding environments
