Paul Carroll, Director

Paul Carroll is a seasoned professional with broad experience in the nongovernmental and philanthropic sectors.

As the Director of C&SN he is responsible for overall organizational management of the network, its staff, and strategy setting with respect to its issues and policy advocacy.

Paul spent seventeen years at the Ploughshares Fund, a public foundation that works to eliminate the risks from nuclear weapons. He has also served in leadership roles in the philanthropic community, significantly contributing to the growth, collaboration, and efficacy of funders in the peace and security arena through his participation in the Peace and Security Funders Group.

More recently, Paul served as the Director of Nuclear Security Partnerships at N Square, a funders collaborative that seeks to foster innovation and collaboration into the nuclear security sector. Paul provided content expertise to members of this growing network and facilitated introductions and connections across different professional sectors to spark partnerships and creative ideas to reduce nuclear threats.

Outside of work Paul is an avid cyclist, having completed two cross-country bike rides. He also earned a Private Pilot license in his teens, though he is now among the legion of non-current “frustrated pilots.” Paul has a BA in Political Science and History from Rutger University, and a Masters of Public Management in National Security Studies from the University of Maryland.

Learn more about Paul on his LinkedIn.

Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery, Associate Director, Policy & Advocacy

Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery is a policy, peacebuilding, and advocacy professional. She is an experienced researcher, analyst, and strategist. As the Associate Director, Policy & Advocacy with C&SN, she is responsible for supporting the organization’s policy goals through advocacy, research, collaborative efforts with partner organizations, and outreach.

Ashleigh started her career in social service roles supporting women experiencing homelessness and abused children in the U.S., which developed her drive to close the gaps between policy and those most impacted by policy. 

She has since built extensive experience in international affairs, including: comparative evidence of inclusion best practices in peace processes with Afghanistan women’s civil society; qualitative research and recommendations to support the foundations of the Namibian International Women’s Peace Centre; advocacy and implementation of gender provisions in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018 with a South Sudanese civil society coalition; research and policy recommendations on UN peacekeeping operations in Palestine, Israel, and Syria; policy and advocacy recommendations to the UN Security Council for Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security; access to justice and rule of law programming in Nigeria; sustainable development and resource advocacy with the indigenous San community in Botswana; and program design for gender equity projects in Burundi and Timor-Leste. She has also co-developed an organizational Women, Peace, and Security strategy.

Ashleigh approaches her work through a collaborative, inclusive, intersectional, and decolonial lens. 

She holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, specializing in Women, Peace, and Security, and Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a Minor in Theatre, from the University of California, San Diego.

Katherine Tomaszewski, Legal Analyst

Katherine Tomaszewski is a human rights lawyer with a background in international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and US criminal law and litigation. As the Legal Analyst for C&SN, she provides legal analysis and expertise in support of C&SN’s legal, policy, and advocacy goals.

Katherine has incorporated her passion for human rights law into her previous work with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., the World Organization Against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Committee Against Torture at the United Nations. Katherine’s past work spans multiple fields of international law, including applying international humanitarian law to assist in the protection of civilians in areas of armed conflict, assisting victims and their families in bringing international claims of torture to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, and partnering with local civil society organizations in various countries to advocate for international human rights standards. She also contributed to litigation efforts in Central and South America and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights combatting violence against women during armed conflict.

More recently, Katherine worked as a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Colorado, where she worked to defend and protect the rights, liberties, and dignity of those accused of crimes but unable to afford to retain counsel.

Outside of work, Katherine is an avid trail-runner, yoga instructor, and outdoor enthusiast. She received her Juris Doctorate from American University’s Washington College of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with minors in English and Spanish from Ohio State University.

Amina Ahmed, Brembeck Fellow

Amina Ahmed, our Brembeck Fellow for 2024, brings a background in international affairs and refugee advocacy to our team. Originally from Afghanistan, Amina’s personal journey reflects a deep commitment to bridging cultural gaps and advocating for marginalized communities.

Amina has dedicated her time to humanitarian efforts, volunteering with UNHCR in Afghan refugee camps, as well as providing interpreting services with Catholic Charities More recently, she worked as a legal intern at an immigration law firm, supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Amina’s passion lies in championing human rights, particularly in conflict zones and peacebuilding initiatives, aiming to extend the scope of these rights to areas in need.

Outside of work, Amina is a gym enthusiast and a food lover who enjoys experimenting with various cuisines. Holding a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Government and Russian Studies from Smith College, she aspires to attend law school in the future.