Helping Nonprofits Bridge the Digital Divide
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.”
the CGD Alumni Association launch event in 2011.
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.”
Lucia Elena's first holiday season.
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!