Heather Mercer

Heather is the founder and president of Global Hope, a nonprofit advancing freedom and human dignity in conflict zones. With 25 years of residential field experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, she has led initiatives focused on minority rights, gender equality, economic development, and protection for victims of gender-based violence. In 2021, Heather founded The Freedom Center in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to provide emergency relief, language education, employment opportunities, leadership development, and safe haven for vulnerable populations. With two advanced degrees in business and global leadership, Heather is committed to reimagining Middle East policy by exploring solutions that balance traditional issues with modern challenges, while promoting peace and human rights in an era of global conflict. This summer in Iraq, Heather launched a new café and restaurant business as a social enterprise to create jobs for displaced Syrian minorities. At Princeton, she looks forward to building lifelong friendships with fellow changemakers, exploring cross-sector strategies for peace and international development, and deepening her capacity to shape innovative, human-centered foreign policy. Outside of her work, Heather finds joy in design, renovations, hospitality, outdoor adventures, and exotic travel – especially when it is shared with great friends.