The Center on Conscience and War Appoints Veteran Activist Mike Prysner as New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Center on Conscience and War (CCW) is proud to announce the appointment of Mike Prysner as the organization’s new Executive Director. Prysner, a veteran of the Iraq War and a renowned anti-war organizer, brings over two decades of experience in advocacy, media, and direct support for service members navigating the complexities of military service and individual conscience.

“Mike’s journey from a soldier at war to a leading voice for peace embodies the very spirit of conscientious objection,” said Board Chair Richard Capron. “His extensive background in investigative media and digital storytelling will be transformative for the Center. By leveraging his ability to reach millions through modern platforms, we are poised to expand CCW’s reach, ensuring that every service member struggling with their conscience knows they have a community and a legal advocate standing behind them.”

Mike joined the U.S. Army shortly before September 11, 2001, and was deployed during the initial invasion of Iraq in March 2003. His firsthand experience with the occupation led him to a profound realization regarding the nature of modern warfare, prompting his return to the U.S. to join the struggle against the war.

Prysner gained international recognition following his 2007 testimony at the Winter Soldier hearings, where his powerful denunciation of the occupation resonated with millions. Since then, he has remained a fixture in the peace movement, organizing fellow Iraq veterans and leading high-profile civil disobedience actions against the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Beyond his activism in the streets, Prysner has been a pioneer in creating educational resources for active-duty personnel. In an era where military recruitment and influence have shifted heavily into digital spaces, Prysner’s expertise in new media is a strategic asset for CCW. His work on projects like the Eyes Left podcast and The Empire Files has already proven successful in reaching service members where they are. Under his leadership, the Center plans to modernize its outreach tools, bringing its more than 85-year legacy of advocacy to a broader, more diverse audience of young people and active-duty personnel.

“The Center on Conscience and War has been a vital lifeline for those who choose to listen to their conscience over their commands,” said Prysner. “I am honored to lead an organization with such a rich history of defending the rights of conscientious objectors and working toward a world where no one is forced to kill.”