About us
For us, it’s not just about adding women to our team.
We amplify our results by finding the women experts on the ground who know what is needed and unleash their potential to produce the results communities need.
We train our eyes not only on our goals abroad, but focus internally as well.
aXXelerate is committed to applying a gender lens to our own operations. We are a woman-friendly workplace and strive to appropriately compensate our employees and contractors for their time and efforts.
Our lean operations allow us to achieve a higher level of efficiency and cost-savings so we can apply resources to where they matter most.
Wherever possible, we hire locally from the populations within which we work and give back to the local communities.
Co-Founders
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Crystal Pryor, Ph.D
CEO, Co-founder
Dr. Crystal Pryor is the Co-Founder and CEO of aXXelerate, where she co-leads the organization’s mission to integrate a gender perspective into peace and security policy and practice. Working at the intersection of gender, security, and international policy, Dr. Pryor brings deep expertise in Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) implementation across the Asia-Pacific.
Under her co-leadership, aXXelerate has partnered with governments, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions to advance inclusive security policies and build capacity for gender-responsive peacebuilding. Her WPS-related work has included research, training, and technical assistance in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Fiji, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam, with support from funders such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Maryruth Belsey Priebe, M.A.-I.R., M.A.R.
COO, Co-founder
Maryruth Belsey Priebe is the Co-Founder and COO of aXXelerate, where she co-leads a team implementing Women, Peace & Security (WPS) initiatives for the US Department of Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces throughout the Indo-Pacific. Working as a hands-on security specialist, she connects gender-responsive policy with practical implementation across multiple security domains. Through her work, she collaborates with defense agencies, international governance bodies, and community-based organizations to develop security solutions with gender perspectives at their core.
In her previous role as Director for WPS Programs and Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum International, she co-orchestrated seven major WPS engagements covering climate security, cybersecurity, maritime security, human trafficking, violent extremism, maritime environmental crimes, and human health in disasters. Her research focuses on developing solutions to the profound and uniquely gendered security threats faced by communities grappling with climate change impacts. Her approach centers on connecting local women experts with policymakers to ensure contextually relevant and impactful solutions.
Ms. Belsey Priebe holds an M.A. in International Relations from Harvard University and serves as Co-Chair of the Gender Interest Group of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association.
Meet the Team
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Valeria Bruyere
Program Manager
Valeria Bruyere is the Program Manager at aXXelerate, where she draws on over 20 years of experience in international project management, program operations, logistics, government funding, event planning, budget oversight, and international development to ensure the successful implementation of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives.
Before joining aXXelerate, Valeria served as WPS Program Manager at both Pacific Forum International and the Henry Jackson Foundation/DPAA in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her earlier roles include International Operations Specialist at the Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA) in Washington, D.C.; Spanish and Latin American Specialist and Instructor at the Foreign Service Institute (Department of State); and Budget and Administrative Specialist at the Office of Agricultural Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
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Joeven Reyes
Regional Manager
Joeven Reyes currently serves as Regional Manager at aXXelerate, where she leverages her extensive experience in strategic advisory and peace advocacy. Prior to this role, Ms. Reyes dedicated eighteen years (2006-2024) as Executive Director of Sulong Peace Inc., where she spearheaded the development of the Philippines' first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. During her tenure, she co-founded Women Engaged in Action on UN 1325, a coalition that champions women's meaningful participation in peace processes. She has extensive experiences and knowledge on human rights and international humanitarian law.
Ms. Reyes has specialized expertise in climate security and circular economy, successfully integrating environmental sustainability principles into conflict resolution frameworks. Her innovative approach includes implementing climate-resilient peacebuilding strategies and sustainable resource management in conflict-affected regions. Her community-based circular economy initiatives have promoted regenerative practices and developed sustainable value chains in vulnerable areas.
Her professional experience encompasses extensive knowledge on Conflict Analysis and Management, Peace-building and Peace Negotiations under the Peace Leadership Program in Cambodia, participating in United Nations Human Rights Council proceedings, and serving as a respected resource person on Women, Peace, and Security, Health, and Climate Security. Ms. Reyes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines and is currently pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education to further enhance her holistic approach to peace development and community engagement.
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Bryan Bacalso
Project Assistant
Bryan Bacalso is the Project Assistant at aXXelerate, where he supports project management tasks related to gender issues and inclusive policymaking. He works closely with the aXXelerate team to help coordinate activities that promote equitable social structures and advance gender equality. His contributions include video editing, graphic design, and organizing events and communications to support the team’s outreach and advocacy efforts.
He holds a degree in Philippine Studies from De La Soul University and has gained substantial experience working with the Commission on Human Rights and various NGOs, including the Freedom from Debt Coalition and Sulong Peace. In these roles, he contributed to human rights initiatives, project planning, and awareness efforts.
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Pamela Reyes
Social Media and Design Specialist
Pamela Reyes is the social media and design specialist for aXXelerate. She is also a full-time media analyst for numerous international clients. Before joining aXXelerate, Pamela was an assistant social media producer for a Filipino newspaper company and a writer for a nonprofit organization that champions female overseas Filipino workers.
She is a Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, where she was the literary editor for the Faculty of Arts and Letters’ publication The Flame. She also served as the editor-in-chief of Dapitan, a literary portfolio, which earned a Student Quill Award. She is passionate about women equality especially in male dominant spaces such as gaming and sports.
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Michelle Pascua
Operations Assistant
Michelle Pascua is the Operations Assistant at aXXelerate, where she provides administrative and strategic support to the leadership team focusing on business development, research, communications and operations.
She took up BS Microbiology at the University of Sto.Tomas and continued to develop her writing through fellowships and workshops. Before aXXelerate, she has worked as a copywriter, digital marketer, administrative and operations assistant. She hopes to make a more meaningful impact in her current role.