Alexa Chopivsky, Executive Director
Alexa Chopivsky is the Executive Director of the Women's Foreign Policy Group. Previously, as the inaugural Executive Director of Ukraine House Davos, Ms. Chopivsky led the creation and elevation of Ukraine’s platform alongside the World Economic Forum, both before and after the war. She is deputy Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at Ukraine Invest, and since 2012, has served as the Director of the Program on the World Economy at the Aspen Institute, a role she will continue. She was a Council on Foreign Relations Term Member and a Eurasia Foundation Young Professionals Network selectee.
She started her career as a journalist working for NBC News, where she covered world events from the New York, Washington, and London bureaus. She later moved to Kyiv, where she was a consultant for an American firm, as well as a freelance journalist, traveling across Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Ms. Chopivsky has deep roots in Ukraine. She is the Founder of Transnational Education Group and served as Executive Director of the American Center for a European Ukraine. She also served as an Adviser to the Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture of Ukraine. She is currently on the boards of Teach for Ukraine; the Ukrainian-Swiss Business Association; and Women Forward International. In 2021, the President of Ukraine awarded Ms. Chopivsky the Order of Princess Olga.
She received a BA from Yale University with distinction in Political Science and Russian & East European Studies, an MS from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and an MIPP from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Contact: [email protected]
Kim Kahnhauser Freeman, Senior Advisor
Kim Kahnhauser FreemanKim Kahnhauser Freeman is a senior advisor at the Women’s Foreign Policy Group and is based in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. During her 15+ years with the organization she has led numerous initiates to highlight women leaders and to expand the WFPG’s impact. As the WFPG's executive director from 2017 to 2021, she led frequent global issues discussions, expanded the WFPG’s mentoring program, and launched its Young Professional Network and virtual professional development series. Prior to joining the WFPG team in 2006, Kim completed a Fulbright teaching fellowship in Tirol, Austria and researched public housing for the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service at Georgetown University. She was a 2011 State Department Young Turkey/Young America Fellow and has also studied at the University of Vienna, the Warsaw School of Economics, and the University of Silesia in Cieszyn, Poland. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in International Politics from Georgetown University and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy. Kim frequently moderates global issues and career-focused programs and has also served on the advisory boards of MasT Analytics and the social enterprise Casement Unlimited. She currently serves as treasurer of the Kazakhstan American Recreational Association of Astana at the US Embassy in Nur-Sultan and a member of the Washington Institute of International Affairs, DACOR, and WIIS. Contact: [email protected] | @KimKFreeman


Jillian Bendlak, Program Associate
Jill BendlakJillian Bendlak is the new Program Associate at Women’s Foreign Policy Group, where she is excited to promote women leadership in global affairs and to help create meaningful networks and mentorships. Previously, Jillian served as a Marshal’s Aide at the Supreme Court of the United States, where she supported the Justices through effective management of oral arguments. She offered administrative support to various Court departments by reviewing citations of petitions of writ of certiorari and editing transcripts of oral arguments for accuracy. She has an extensive history in Model United Nations and worked at Best Delegate as the BDMUNC Program Manager. In this role, she created monthly conference programming for hundreds of students grades 5-12 and trained staffers to lead engaging committees and effectively mentor MUN skills to students. Jillian graduated summa cum laude from the George Washington University in January 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Political Science. She is interested in foreign service, conflict resolution, and US—Europe relations. In her free time, Jillian enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction novels and baking a new creation in her kitchen. Jillian currently lives in Washington, DC, where she loves to go to museums and explore what the city has to offer. Contact: [email protected]