Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade

Guillaume de Brier has joined the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) in 2015. IPIS is an independent research institute providing tailored information, analysis and capacity enhancement to support those actors who want to realize a vision of durable peace, sustainable development and the fulfillment of human rights.

At IPIS, Guillaume’s research mainly focuses on artisanal 3T and gold mines in Eastern Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic. In DRC, Guillaume has led multiple projects that aimed at strengthening responsible sourcing through mining sites mapping, risk assessment & conflict analysis. In Central African Republic, Guillaume has focused on conflict mapping and drivers of the conflict, which includes minerals extraction, trade and cattle transhumance. Prior joining IPIS, Guillaume has worked for 5 years in the Great Lakes Regions, firstly in Burundi (2.5 years), with the Belgian cooperation (Enabel) and then as a researcher on access to justice. Afterwards, he worked as a Human Rights programme officer at UNAIDS, in Kigali, Rwanda, in charge of HIV prevention amongst prisoners, youth and LGBT community. Guillaume holds a Master in International Relations (Conflict & Development Master, cum laude) from the Gent University and a bachelor in Contemporary History (magna cum laude) from the Free University of Brussels (ULB).

Jean-Paul Meutcheho, Ph. D. is Global Advanced Metals (GAM) Director of Sourcing and Corporate Sustainability. He develops and coordinates implementation of GAM’s responsible minerals sourcing objectives. His focus includes managing the associated procurement and audit requirements as well as establishing policies and procedures related to conflict-free tantalum raw material sourcing. He leads corporate outreach efforts with industries, NGOs, and governmental organizations to support the adoption and propagation responsible minerals sourcing practice.

Jean-Paul has more than twenty years of experience in purchasing and commodity management in many organizations including  Ford Motor Company. During his 15 years tenure at Ford Motor Company, Jean-Paul held multiple Purchasing/procurement roles, including ISE, and led corporate initiatives to develop a sustainable supply chain for conflict minerals and to comply with related U.S. legislation, and was the company executive loan to the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and chairperson of the conflict minerals workgroup at AIAG.

Jean-Paul has an extensive background in supply chain management, he holds a doctorate in management with research interest in sustainable supply chain management contribution to corporate profitability. Jean-Paul sits (or sat) on the Steering/governance committees of many organizations and workgroups including: the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly CFSI), the Auto Industry Action group (AIAG) corporate social responsibility, Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) multi-stakeholders minerals workgroup.

Jean-Paul is fluent (and does work) in Spanish, French and English.

Alyssa works as a responsible supply chain program manager for Google. Alyssa has over 20 years of experience in the energy and environmental sector. She worked in broad range of Corporate Social Responsibility functions (private sector, government, and global nonprofits). She launched SunPower’s sustainability efforts in 2008, including the SunPower Foundation, where she managed more than $5 million in global energy programs and over 1MW of donated solar power technology, including to Virunga National Park and the City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She's an advisor and board member to several nonprofits working at the intersection of conflict-climate change-conservation. When she's not working on humanitarian causes, she's running-biking-swimming-adventuring, producing stories, or working in her garden.

Brooke Stearns Lawson, a Senior Conflict and Crime Advisor with USAID’s Africa Bureau (USAID/AFR), provides technical assistance, program management, and policy guidance on a wide range of conflict and governance issues.  Her work focuses on promoting responsible minerals trade, and mitigating conflict and promoting social cohesion, countering transnational organized crime , and promoting good governance (particularly rule of law).  Prior to joining USAID, Brooke was a Doctoral Fellow at the RAND Corporation where her work focused on the intersection of development and security.  Brooke has more than fifteen years work experience in international development, relief, and reconstruction.  She earned a PhD in policy analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School and a master’s degree in international relations from Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po).  She was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a 2009 White House Fellows Regional Finalist, founding member of the Rotary Club of Dupont Circle, 2003-2005 Rotary World Peace Scholar, and 2001 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.  Originally from Montana, Brooke loves outdoor sports, particularly downhill and water skiing and beach volleyball, and is a proud aunt of eight.