Sheila Paylan is an international human rights advocate and war crimes investigator with nearly 20 years of experience advancing accountability, the rule of law, and survivor-centered justice in conflict and post-conflict settings. As a legal advisor to the United Nations, she has worked across multiple regions on international criminal law, gender-based violence, and mainstreaming human rights in policy and practice. Now based in Yerevan, Armenia, she regularly advises international organizations, NGOs, governments, and think tanks on human rights and governance, with a particular focus on democracy and peacebuilding in the South Caucasus. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Civil Law/Juris Doctorate (BCL/JD) from McGill University, as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) specializing in public international law from the University of London. Sheila’s contributions to both academic discourse and mainstream media are extensive, marking her as a respected thought leader and authoritative voice on human rights issues. She writes the Unleashed column for EVN Report and contributes regularly as a public speaker, translating complex legal norms into clear, actionable insights for audiences around the world. Drawing on field experience and years inside multilateral institutions, she equips communities and decision-makers to pursue durable peace grounded in law, justice, and human dignity.