Alumni Association
Whether at CGD for a summer internship or many memorable years, the simple but powerful bond of our collective mission lives on. As we grow our global community, the Center realizes the power and strength that has come from our alumni carrying CGD’s ethos into all their endeavors and daily life beyond their time with us.
The Alumni Association formalizes the network of our former staff, visiting fellows, and associates committed to our vision of global prosperity for all. The recipe for our practical approach and impact reflects the time and talent of these CGDers, and we are glad they have chosen to stay engaged with the important work we are all a part of in one way or another.
Aluminaries: Helping Nonprofits Bridge the Digital Divide
The Aluminaries features the adventures of one of our own, from their experiences with us to where they are today. No matter what distinct path our alumni have chosen, each has a unique story to tell and we are thrilled to be sharing these updates with you. Read on as they share their special CGD memories, work they have done since, and how they have grown professionally and personally.
Working in communications, according to Tony Kopetchny, is like being an amplifier to a musician: “Jimi Hendrix was an incredible guitarist but if he didn’t have a good amplifier at Woodstock, no one would have heard him.” However, if you asked anyone at CGD about Tony they would tell you that he was not just an amplifier, but every bit of a rock star as Hendrix.
Tony started at the Center in January 2005 as a Web Editor and Media Relations Associate, right when many of the online tools we rely on today—blogging, email marketing, CRM software, etc.—were becoming viable options for the non-profit sector. Though he, in many ways, helped lay the foundation for many of CGD’s online strategies, working at the Center also played a significant role in defining his career. “Combining curiosity with evaluation, learning how to run projects, and implementing tools based on defined organizational needs are things I carry with me into every situation,” Tony said. “Lawrence and Nancy provided great leadership and their confidence and support in the work I was doing for the Center was a key element for me to move forward as a technology and communications consultant.”
CGD’s culture of being conducive to new technologies and communications tools—dovetailed to our exploration of fresh and innovative policy ideas in development—is a large part of why Tony thrived in his role. The two came together when he worked with the Making Markets for Vaccines initiative, which later led to the large-scale endorsement of Advanced Market Commitments (AMCs). “Being both the web and media outreach guy, I got to play a heavy role in helping the team execute the communications strategy. It was also the first time I met Owen Barder—another CGDer I learned much from. The work was fast paced and exciting and in the end we got a victory. It felt great to think in some small way I was able to contribute to something so important and beneficial for people living in developing countries.”
When asked about his other favorite memories from CGD (which Tony argues is like asking a filmmaker to describe his favorite movie), he recalls when Nancy met the Czech writer Vaclav Havel, a favorite of Tony’s, on a trip to Europe. Before meeting Havel, she found out that Tony was a fan and surprised him with a book of poems signed by the author himself. “It was an extremely thoughtful gesture and I remain forever grateful, not just for the autograph but the lesson I learned from Nancy about leadership and thoughtfulness,” Tony said. “The book is still in a place of honor in our house—thank you Nancy.”
After leaving CGD in 2007, Tony worked for and consulted with organizations like the Open Societies Foundation, the United States Institute of Peace, FEMA, DHS, Woodrow Wilson Center, and the Brookings Institution. He is now the Deputy Director of Digital and Creative at PEW Charitable Trusts—a role reminiscent of his time at CGD. “Working at CGD reinforced for me the importance of having a passion for the work you do,” Tony stated. “When I was contemplating my career at one point, (former CGD VP) Dennis deTray made a poignant comment that stuck: ‘If you have the skills and talent, anyone can make a buck selling cheeseburgers, so why not use your time to make a difference in the world.’”
It is clear that Tony has built a career out of something he has a passion and true talent for: making the best “amplifiers” to share great ideas and thinking. Without people like Tony, it would be impossible for places like CGD to make an impact and better the lives of people around the world.
Tony lives in DC with his wife, Sara who he married while working at CGD. They recently welcomed their first daughter, Lucia Elena, into the world, and Tony says “everything has changed for the better” because of her. Congratulations, Tony and Sara!
Did You Know? Alumni Developments
Have news to share with CGD and alums? Please send your news and developments to Anna Moran.
- Former communications intern Lauren Aitken is now a program associate and social media coordinator at the Meridian International Center. She works with former events manager Heather Haines, who is the director of Meridian's public programs.
- Former media relations coordinator Jessica Brinton lives in Nairobi, Kenya, working as a program coordinator at the African Population and Health Research Center.
- Former policy analyst Gargee Ghosh recently joined the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Policy & Advocacy Department as a Director of Policy Analysis and Financing. She also just welcomed her second child in to the world (congratulations, Gargee and Andrew)!
- Former program coordinator Danielle Kuczynski manages a Clinton Health Access Initiative Sustainable Health Financing Program, which operates across five countries in Africa.
- Former program coordinator Ayah Mahgoub recently moved back to Washington after completing her MPA/ID from Harvard University. She is now working at the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa team in Sustainable Development Network as a development policy specialist.
- Former executive assistant Annie Malknecht is now a research associate at the Center for American Progress’ Sustainable Security and Peacebuilding Initiative, working alongside former policy analyst Casey Dunning (who is a senior policy analyst at CAP).
- Former senior fellow and chief economist for USAID Steve Radelet has joined the Georgetown Human Development Program as a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Development.
- Former research consultant Matt Schneider is now working for the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), doing monitoring and evaluation in health informatics.