BIO Jerry White

Jerry White is a renowned humanitarian leader, peacebuilder, and Senior Ashoka Fellow, currently serving as Executive Director of United Religions Initiative. After losing his leg to a landmine in 1984, Jerry transformed personal tragedy into global advocacy. He co-led three groundbreaking international campaigns that resulted in global treaties: the Landmine Ban Treaty, the Cluster Munitions Ban, and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 1997, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and worked alongside Princess Diana to amplify its impact.

Jerry is the author of Getting Up When Life Knocks You Down, drawing from decades of work helping war victims build resilience. His latest book, Religicide (2022), tackles the roots of anti-religious violence.

Educated at Brown University (religion), Cambridge University (theology), and the University of Michigan (business), Jerry also taught for seven years at the University of Virginia, offering courses on conflict, religion, and social innovation.

He is known for blending spiritual insight with strategic activism and is committed to fostering interfaith collaboration and dignity for all. Jerry lives in Washington, DC with his wife Kelly and their four adult children.