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Debra Eisenman

Founding Director and Senior Fellow

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Debra Eisenman is Chief Operating Officer of the Asia Society and Founding Director and Senior Fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI). As COO, Debra oversees the operations and strategy of the Society’s substantive pillars, as well as the global network.

Prior to this role, Debra was Managing Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, where she led and oversaw projects on development, governance, sustainability, and security challenges throughout Asia, with a particular focus on Myanmar, Central Asia, and Iran. She also ran ASPI’s strategy and operations, and has been with ASPI and its predecessor, the Global Policy Programs department at Asia Society, in numerous, progressively responsible roles since 2011. Debra also created the initial business, operations, and strategic plans for the development of ASPI, prior to its launch.

Before joining Asia Society in 2011, Debra worked on the Peacebuilding and Western Balkans grantmaking programs of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. From 2005 to 2008, she worked at the National Crime Prevention Council on projects to advance youth civic engagement and individual and community safety.

Debra has been a short-term election observer in Kosovo (2010), Albania (2011), Ukraine (2012 and 2014), and Armenia (2017). She holds a master’s degree in politics from New York University, and is a cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland with high honors in her government and politics major. She is also a fellow of the Truman National Security Project and a member of Women in International Security. Debra is a contributor to radio, television, and print media. In June 2018, she authored the ASPI report, Reconciling Expectations with Reality in a Transitioning Myanmar. 

Related Initiatives

  • Rush-hour traffic moves near the Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. (Paula Bronstei

    Myanmar

    ASPI's projects and analysis on Myanmar.
  • Iran Thumbnail - Tobi Gaulke

    Iran

    ASPI's projects and analysis on Iran.
  • Kyrgyz women cast their votes at a polling station in October 2010.

    Central Asia

    Following ASPI's project examining the crisis of governance in Central Asia, Asia Society has continued to provide a forum for dialogue about how the region can increase security, manage conflicts, and strengthen the rule of law.

Media Queries

Please contact pr@asiasociety.org.

Reports

  • The moon rises over a pagoda in Kumal, Myanmar
    report

    Reconciling Expectations With Reality in a Transitioning Myanmar

    In this ASPI issue paper, Debra Eisenman analyzes five critical challenges facing Myanmar in 2018.

Commentary

  • interview

    Renewed Violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State

    Debra Eisenman joined VOA Asia to talk about the outbreak of conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State—between a Rakhine ethnic armed group and Myanmar’s military.
  • interview

    Will Growing International Criticism Impact Situation in Myanmar?

    ASPI's Debra Eisenman on whether Myanmar’s military leaders should be charged for crimes against humanity.
  • Eight Events That Shaped Asia in 2017

    Looking back on an eventful year across the world's largest and most dynamic continent.

On Twitter

Tweets by @DebraEisenman

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