(Credit: Jiyang Chen)

Search for Common Ground has appointed baritone Ryan McKinny to its President’s Lead Council.

In his new position, McKinny will be among those that offer “counsel, introductions, and feedback on the organization’s strategic priorities and life-saving peacebuilding work.” His tenure lasts two years.

“Search for Common Ground gives me hope for the future of humanity,” McKinny said in an official statement. “I began volunteering for Search years ago because I believed in the organization’s potential to help build peace globally. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through this work is that everyone in a conflict can – and should – be fully engaged as human beings. I’ve seen this powerful approach help build peace in my own family and community, and I’m deeply honored to support this essential work with the President’s Leadership Council.”

Search for Common Ground is a peacebuilding organization dedicated to ending violent conflict and helping build healthy, safe, and just societies around the world. The organization is currently working with 31 countries around four continents.

McKinny is set to appear in Seattle Opera’s production of “Le Nozze di Figaro” this May.