The Concord Project builds on decades of experience strengthening democracy in every region of the world. From helping Ethiopia’s judiciary deliver its first national training on election litigation, to co-designing a master’s program in election dispute resolution in Ukraine, to shaping procedures for the Bougainville independence referendum. Our role is always the same: to serve as neutral, nonpartisan partners, working alongside those who safeguard the democracies that belong to them.

As founding members of the Global Network on Electoral Justice, we’ve helped create and sustain partnerships that now connect judges, election officials, and institutions across continents. We have conducted comparative research across countries and regions and have authored guidance that now serves as a foundation for strengthening electoral integrity worldwide.

We left our executive positions to establish The Concord Project for three reasons: (1) because of our conviction as U.S. voters that we must contribute at home and in a practical way; (2) to help fill specific technical gaps where others may not (or cannot) be working; and (3) to introduce a new risk/results’ approach to program impact based on our international lessons and experiences.

About us

  • Founder and CEO

    Katherine Ellena is a U.S.-based attorney and non-profit executive with over 20 years of experience with democracy programs worldwide, working with election commissions, oversight bodies, anti-corruption commissions, tribunals, courts, and civil society in over 30 countries. Ellena has helped countries design their national election dispute resolution systems, partnered with federal judiciaries to design and deliver training on election litigation, and worked with institutions and legislators to refine elections laws and administrative rules.

    She is a former diplomat with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a special advisor to the Standing Committee on Election Law at the ABA, and a member of the Scientific Committee for the Global Network on Electoral Justice. She holds a master’s degree in law and bachelor’s degrees in law and philosophy from the University of Canterbury, and a diploma for graduates in international development from the University of London.

    Ellena plays the drums, rides a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, and once had to sleep on the floor of a public toilet in a rural Indian train station.

  • Founder and Board Chair, General Counsel

    An attorney and global elections expert, Vickery has worked in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States, leading efforts to improve electoral integrity, develop impartial legal frameworks, and increase participation among historically underrepresented groups. He has led the creation of new methods for assessing the integrity of elections around the world, with a focus on identifying and addressing electoral fraud, malpractice, and effectively investigating and resolving electoral complaints. His career has focused on promoting the rule of law, professionalizing election administration, and building systems that protect the fairness and legitimacy of democratic processes.

    Vickery holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University, a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America with a specialization in comparative and international law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Washington.

    Vickery is an avid road cyclist and mountain biker with two golden doodles who was once instructed to approach the bench during a courtesy call at a district court in Pakistan.

Select Publications

Information on our Advisory Board and strategic advisors coming soon!