Born 17 April 1955. Father: John Lederach.

His home address was listed as Hesston, Kansas, at the time of his graduation from Bethel College in 1980.

Worked for Mennonite Board of Missions in Barcelona, Spain, 1978-1983. Worked for Mennonite Central Committee 1985-1996.

Earned Ph. D. from University of Colorado in sociology in 1988.

Professor of conflict studies at Eastern Mennonite University 1990-2001.

Distinguised scholar in Conflict Transformation Program, Eastern Mennonite University, 2001-present.

Professor of international peacemaking at Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Notre Dame University, 2001-present.