Board Chair

Jack Gilroy is a dedicated organizer, educator, author, and playwright with a lifelong commitment to peace, social justice, and anti-war advocacy. A US military veteran, Jack co-founded Frutas!, a nonprofit supporting education, sustainable farming, and infrastructure in impoverished communities in Mexico. He has served as President of the Binghamton chapter of Veterans for Peace and as Chair of the Social Action Committee at the Broome County Council of Churches. As an educator in the US and Australia, Jack guided students in activism for nuclear disarmament, environmental protection, and anti-apartheid efforts, influencing policies and earning media recognition. A prolific writer, his works explore themes of conscience, war, and resistance. He has been honored with the 2024 Pax Christi Metro New York Award, the 2025 Veterans For Peace Howard Zinn Award, and the 2025 Peace Action NYS Teach Truth Educator Award.

Board Secretary

Nydia Leaf is a passionate advocate for social justice, sustainability, and the arts, with a rich background in education, community organizing, and theater. A graduate of Hunter College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Theater, she also earned a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College. Her career includes work in progressive education, grassroots advocacy on issues like environmental sustainability and civil rights, and contributions to theater and film. In the 1950s and 1960s, she worked with renowned Broadway producers and directors, gaining invaluable insight into the creative process. Nydia continues to champion equity and access through her involvement in community-based organizations and tireless efforts for peace and justice.

Board Treasurer

Pat Elder has dedicated his career to addressing environmental, social, and educational issues. As Director of Military Poisons, he has led global efforts to expose and combat military-related environmental contamination, empowering marginalized communities to seek justice. He founded the National Coalition to Protect Student Privacy, advancing laws to protect students’ rights, and his advocacy influenced the United Nations on child protection in armed conflict. Pat has held leadership roles with organizations such as World BEYOND War and the Fort Ord Contamination Working Group. He also taught history and government for 12 years, emphasizing civic engagement and critical thinking. His work reflects a deep commitment to confronting militarism, environmental harm, and social injustice.

Advisory Board Member

Martin Sheen is an acclaimed actor and lifelong activist deeply committed to peace, social justice, and civic engagement. He is best known for starring in “Apocalypse Now” and “The West Wing”. Nonetheless, his artistic work is intertwined with his activism, using storytelling to foster awareness and drive change across issues such as social justice, education, and the environment. Martin and Board Chair Jack Gilroy have collaborated on various peace initiatives, including marches, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience. A celebrated member of the Catholic Worker movement and Pax Christi, Martin has received numerous honors for his contributions to the arts and activism, including the Laetare Medal, the Thomas Merton Award, the Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Award, and the inaugural Cesar E. Chavez Spirit Award.

Artistic Director

zool is an artist, activist, and producer whose work spans theater, film, and community engagement. A retired member of the Directors Guild of America, he has collaborated with renowned directors and contributed to over 100 productions, excelling in writing, directing, production design, and event coordination. zool has spearheaded notable projects such as the “Do the Right Thing!” festival and the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade’s “Mother Earth vs. The War Machine,” blending activism with artistry to address social and ecological issues. He serves on Manhattan’s Community Board Five and coordinates tenant advocacy initiatives. Zool’s work is rooted in building creative and activist networks that promote justice and equity.

Production Manager

Tara is an Emerson College graduate with a BA in Visual Media Arts and a Minor in Hearing and Deafness. Tara is based in New York City. Before working at The Rising Together Theater Company, they were the photo coordinator for the music magazine, Five Cent Sound. They are passionate about visual media and sound design. They have worked on several short films in various production and post-production roles.

Assistant Managing Director & Director of Fundraising

Rowan Acadia Dunlop is an artist and researcher from rural Vermont. She is a former Department of Defense contractor, U.S. Army War College Intern, and current associated member of Veterans for Peace. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama: Dramaturgy, and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts: Military History from American Military University. Her research focuses on the development of military technology and the psychological impacts of warfare. Her theatre work blends experimental technology with traditional practices, anti-war programming, and audience-engagement.

Assistant Stage Manager

Ryan is a CUNY undergraduate currently pursuing topics in information technology, as well as arts and multimedia. Despite that, he is shown to have a keen interest in learning about and understanding some of the major issues in society, be they past or present. Having grown up in the Bronx, he is passionate in video game development, graphic design, and photography, and often does these things in his free time.