Stephen Hecht

Stephen Hecht serves as a Director at The Garibay Institute for Soft Power and Public Diplomacy. He is also is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Peacemaker of Million Peacemakers, a global nonprofit dedicated to equipping youth and communities with practical tools to transform conflict into connection. Over the past decade, Million Peacemakers has trained millions of people worldwide through the Nonflict®️ methodology, helping individuals build empathy, resilience, and constructive conflict skills in everyday life.

 

Stephen also helped catalyze Nonflict AI, an AI-enabled extension of the Nonflict®️ methodology designed to scale conflict transformation and peace learning in accessible, youth-friendly ways. He serves in senior leadership within Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and has chaired the YPO Impact Networks Council, convening leaders across peace, sustainability, and social impact.

 

Stephen is also a driving force behind Generation Peace, an ambitious global initiative to empower young people as peacemakers through partnerships with leading youth organizations and education ecosystems. He brings to The Garibay Institute a rare blend of lived experience, global leadership, and practical peacebuilding, bridging human connection, systems change, and cultural impact.

 

His work advances the role of soft power in strengthening social cohesion and fostering peace across communities and nations.