Ukraine Expert Alexa Chopivsky ’97 Delivers Timely Message in Janet Griffith Lecture

On March 1, Alexa Chopivsky ’97 delivered the Janet Griffith Lecture on International Affairs to NCS Upper School students, faculty, and staff. Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began five days prior to the lecture on Feb. 24, Ukraine expert Chopivsky presented a timely and moving message at the 24th annual lecture series.

Raised in a patriotic Ukranian household in Washington, D.C., she always felt connected to the country. “Twenty-five years ago, sitting in your shoes, I had a very abstract passion for Ukraine,” she said. From that abstract passion, Chopivsky built a career supporting the country and its people, becoming a leading expert on the country’s politics, culture, and development.

She is the director of the Program on the World Economy at the Aspen Institute, executive director of Ukraine House Davos, and deputy chairwoman of the Supervisory Board Ukraine Invest. Chopivsky is founder of Transnational Education Group and served as executive director at American Center for a European Ukraine. She previously served as adviser to the Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture of Ukraine. For many years, Chopivsky was a journalist with NBC News and, after a period as associate director at an international communication consultancy in London, she moved to Kyiv, where she worked as a consultant and freelance journalist.

Last year, the President of Ukraine awarded her the Order of Princess Olga, a Ukrainian civil decoration awarded to women for "personal merits in state, production, scientific, educational, cultural, charity and other spheres of social activities, for upbringing children in families.”

Leading up to the event, NCS community members had been closely watching the events unfolding in Ukraine, but Chopivsky provided attendees with a novel perspective on the situation, offering the audience personal insights into the rich cultural fabric of Ukraine and the grit of its people. “The 42-million-strong Ukraine is one of the most innovative and interesting European countries today,” she said, painting a picture of the country she loves.

Ukraine stands for opportunity and possibility.
Ukraine stands for innovation.
Ukraine stands for creativity.
Ukraine stands for brains.
Ukraine stands for its natural resources.
Ukraine stands for history and culture.
This is the story of my Ukraine.

In addition to discussing the situation in Ukraine, Chopivsky offered advice for students interested in studying international relations, encouraging them to read news publications, intern, attend think tank events, travel abroad, and study foreign languages. Offering a piece of particularly universal advice, she said, “Know and accept that there will be failures and disappointment along the way, but do not let that distract you. It will all make sense in the end. Accept failure and only let it make you stronger and more determined.”

AnnaSophia Nicely ‘23, who has family from Bulgaria, attended Chopivsky’s lecture and reflected on its message. “[This invasion] affects us and the people that we love. And I think Alexa really amplified that because it's so humanizing to see these people. They're people with full, robust lives and a bright future and to see the evil of that being stripped away is really horrifying. It's a call to action. I appreciate the way in which [Chopivsky] and others are bringing everyone into this situation.”

The Janet Griffith Lecture, established in 1998, honors the former NCS faculty member and administrator who founded the school's international program. Past speakers have included Madeleine Albright, Ngozi Iweala, Julia Alvarez, Bishop John Bryson Chane, and Betty Bao Lord.