WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2022)—The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security today announced that Carla Koppell will be the Institute’s new Managing Director, effective immediately. Under the leadership of Melanne Verveer, who continues as Executive Director, she will manage and help steward the Institute.
Koppell previously served as a Distinguished GIWPS Fellow, leading the Institute’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in international affairs and public policy education. Koppell leads the University Leadership Council, a group of deans and directors of top U.S. graduate schools who share best practices for promoting diversity and inclusion in graduate studies programs. She also authored an edited volume published by Oxford University Press–Untapped Power: Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion for Conflict and Development–which demonstrates that diversity and inclusion are essential to ending conflict and promoting social well-being. Koppell will continue to assist the School of Foreign Service with efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ambassador Verveer said, “Carla has an enduring commitment to diversity and inclusion in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs. She has provided committed leadership during her tenure at Georgetown and USAID working to mainstream gender and diversity into international development and academia. We are thrilled to work more closely with Carla as Managing Director.”
Koppell brings extensive experience in the fields of conflict resolution and international development in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She has actively worked to elevate the voices of women, girls and civil society in a wide range of fragile and conflict affected states, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Israel, South Sudan, and Uganda. Recently, she served as a vice president with the United States Institute for Peace. Prior she served as chief strategy officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and was inaugural USAID senior coordinator for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Earlier in her career, Koppell directed the Institute for Inclusive Security, served as deputy assistant secretary for international affairs with the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development, and worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
“I am honored to be increasing my engagement with GIWPS, an organization that is of central importance in advancing the women, peace and security agenda globally. Ambassador Verveer and the Institute team are tremendous leaders and experts; I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with them as they undertake cutting edge research, advocacy and action.”
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About Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (GIWPS)
Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace & Security seeks to promote a more stable, peaceful, and just world by focusing on the important role women play in preventing conflict and building peace, growing economies, and addressing global threats like climate change and violent extremism. We engage in rigorous research, host global convenings, advance strategic partnerships, and nurture the next generation of leaders. Housed within the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, the Institute is headed by the former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at giwps.georgetown.edu and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @giwps and Instagram @georgetown_wps.
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