Biography
Mark Peres is a professor in the College of Arts & Sciences teaching courses on ethics and leadership. His courses include Global Ethics, Honors Ethics, The Good Life and How to Change the World.
He is founder and executive director of The Charlotte Center for the Humanities & Civic Imagination (thecharlottecenter.org). The mission of The Charlotte Center is to help people and communities flourish.
He is the author of ‘The Accord,’ a novel about the future of human-AI relations, and ‘The Man Who Lived a Hundred Lives,’ a memoir about his father’s immigrant journey to America.
Between 2017-2019, Professor Peres hosted a podcast called ‘On Life and Meaning’ (onlifeandmeaning.com). He spoke with artists, innovators, and civic leaders about their work, lives, and higher purposes. He published ‘On Life and Meaning: 100 Essays Inspired by 100 Guests,’ a book profiling the guests of the podcast.
Between 2003-2012, Peres led Charlotte Viewpoint, a non-profit magazine about civic life and culture (charlotteviewpoint.org). Charlotte Viewpoint published commentary, interviews, poetry, stories, photography, video, and visual art.
His community work focuses on nurturing creative capital, elevating civic discourse, and promoting intellectual and artistic excellence in the Charlotte region.
Professor Peres had previous careers in investment planning, business, and law.
Education
JD, The Florida State University College of Law
BA, Rollins College
History
Power 100 Innovators Award
Charlotte Business Journal
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Luminary Award
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation
Community Service Award
Johnson & Wales University
Teacher of the Year
Johnson & Wales University
Special Merit Award
Johnson & Wales University
“The Accord.” Peres, M. (November 29, 2025)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-accord-by-mark-peres/id1629109425?i=1000738921965
“The Accord, AI Ethics, and What Makes Us Human.” Peres, M. (November 28, 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCuI7bD4a4s
“The Accord.” Peres, M. (November 20, 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWMqyGd8COs
“Friendship, Flourishing, and The Good Life.” Peres, M. (November 10, 2025)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friendship-flourishing-and-the-good-life/id1825157750?i=1000736142877
“The Accord – A conversation.” Peres, M. (November 5, 2025)
https://terryshepherd.com/mark-peres-the-accord/
International Leadership Association
International Leadership Association
Peres, M. (November 5, 2025). The Accord. (Book).
Shelby Press.
https://www.amazon.com/Accord-Novel-Mark-Peres/dp/B0FQR3MN66/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JJXZM2525IC9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gZf77HL3M0SPJHHfOtNX4tf9bhgnywqRgKRBL0rKAh3B28fPrjCgqzYz-iWdGKUYODb6Bng94WaaMZmS_V6cGw.wAIG1aYnv_1hXVNauBsgBvT0LJZ10iYIOuXA5H4SkJ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=mark+peres+the+accord&qid=1765469384&sprefix=mark+peres%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1
Peres, M. (April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 2, 2025). The Man Who Lived a Hundred Lives. (Book).
Shelby Press.
“A New Story for the Age of AI: A Philosophy of Recognition and Moral Participation,” Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC. (June 28, 2026).
Senior Scholars Speaker Series, “The Future of Human-AI Relations,” Senior Scholars at Queens, Charlotte, NC. (October 24, 2025).
Faith and Community Series, “Re-Humanizing Our World,” Myers Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC, United States. (March 30, 2025).
ILA Global Conference, “Charlotte Ideas Festival: Enriching Social Trust & Inspiring New Visions,” International Leadership Association, Chicago, IL, United States. (November 8, 2024).
The Forum, “Re-Humanizing Our World,” The Charlotte Center for the Humanities and Civic Imagination, Charlotte, NC. (December 2, 2023).
International Leadership Association Global Conference, “The Democratization of Wisdom: Amplyfying Marginalized Voices to Nurture Civic Engagement in a Divided World,” International Leadership Association, Washington DC, DC, United States. (October, 2022).
International Servant Leadership Summit, “Servant Leadership Portals to Social Justice, In and Out of Classrooms, via Intellectual, Empathetic and Civic Courage,” Milwaukee, WI, United States. (June, 2021).
Senior Scholars at Queens University, “Charlotte, Citizenship & What Matters Most,” Senior Scholars at Queens University, Charlotte, NC, United States. (May, 2019).