Mark M. Persaud, LL.B., LL.M. held a broad range of positions with the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, counsel to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP - Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit), and civil litigation counsel. He studied political science at York University and obtained his law degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School. He also studied at the Center for Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard University.

He was twice elected to the National Executive of a federal Canadian political party as well being as an Adviser to a federal Cabinet minister. He has chaired and and advised on political campaigns at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

He is a social entrepreneur who has contributed to community development within Canada as well as internationally. He is the Founder of the Canadian International Peace Project , a non-partisan organization that works on issues of domestic and international peace, security and development. An Honourary Patron of the Canadian Somali Congress, an Advisor to YouthBank and f The Austistic Acceptance Project, he is also founder of, and board member, advisor and volunteer with numerous organisations and has won many awards and recognitions for his extensive community service including being the recipient of the 2007 Alumni Public Sector Gold Key from Osgoode Hall Law School and being nominated by the diplomatic community for the prestigious 2006 Seoul Peace Prize.