For Immediate Release, March 9, 2016
Contact: Paul Johnson, 202-429-7174

(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Institute of Peace announces Carla Koppell’s appointment as vice president for the Center for Applied Conflict Transformation. In the newly created position, Koppell will set the course for the center, which is focused on the resolution and transformation of violent conflict in fragile states.

With three decades of senior leadership experience in and out of government, Koppell will lead USIP’s programs on issue areas such as rule of law and religion, as well as grants, research, education, fellowships and training. She will focus on the design, development and piloting of innovative approaches to conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

“Carla Koppell is a recognized expert in conflict and international affairs and an innovator in designing and implementing programs to advance security in fragile, conflict-affected and developing countries,” said institute President Nancy Lindborg. “I am delighted to have her join our senior executive team.”

Prior to joining USIP, Koppell served as the chief strategy officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development. She previously served as USAID’s first senior coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and as a senior advisor to the USAID Administrator. Earlier in her career, Koppell was deputy assistant secretary for international affairs with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Koppell also directed the Institute for Inclusive Security and was senior advisor and interim director of the Conflict Prevention Project for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

“The need to foster peace and prosperity in fragile states is critical, especially as conflicts and crises appear to be increasing in frequency, intensity and duration,” said Koppell. “USIP’s mission to prevent, mitigate and resolve violent conflicts is essential. I am honored to be working for a leading organization with a track record of success.”

Koppell has addressed officials from the United Nations, the World Bank, NATO and the U.S. Congress, among many others.  Her writing has appeared in a range of publications, including Foreign Policy, the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor and International Herald Tribune.

She received her M.A. in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a B.S. from Cornell University. 

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USIP is the country's global conflict management center, created by Congress to prevent, mitigate and resolve violent international conflict through nonviolent means. To learn more, visit www.usip.org.