Theo is Director, PeaceMedia and PeaceTech Lab Africa at the PeaceTech Lab. The Lab was created by United States Institute of Peace as a separate entity to further advance USIP's work at the intersection of technology, media and data to help reduce violent conflict around the world.

Theo joined USIP in 2008 and has worked with local partners in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, and South Sudan to develop innovative ways to use media to help resolve conflict. His expertise includes producing curriculum-based peace media programs such as the Salam Shabab TV show in Iraq and the Sawa Shabab radio drama in South Sudan. He has also led efforts to develop tools to limit media incitement to violence as well as to monitor and counter hate speech.

Prior to joining USIP, he served for two years as a media specialist for the Public Sector Governance team at the World Bank Institute (WBI). At WBI, he focused on promoting access to public information and strengthening the role that media plays in establishing accountability and governance. Theo spent the previous five years working on media development projects at the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), a Washington-based NGO. Specifically, he managed projects designed to strengthen independent media in Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East/North Africa through training and business management assistance. He also conducted telecommunications research and provided sales strategy analysis over two years at Forrester Research, a technology research firm.

He holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College.