Debra Eisenman

Debra Eisenman is Chief Operating Officer of the Asia Society, charged with overseeing the Society’s global centers and network, communications, global events, and the Asia 21 young leaders program. She concurrently serves as Managing Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, where she oversees projects on development, governance, sustainability, and security challenges throughout Asia, and leads projects on Myanmar.

Eisenman also directs strategy and operations for the Asia Society Policy Institute, and has been with its predecessor, the Global Policy Programs department at Asia Society, in numerous, progressively responsible roles since 2011. Eisenman created the initial business, operations, and strategic plans for the development of the Asia Society Policy Institute prior to its launch.

Before joining Asia Society in 2011, Eisenman 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.

Eisenman 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 government and politics. She is also a fellow of the Truman National Security Project and a member of Women in International Security. She is a contributor to radio, television, and print media. In June 2018, she authored the Asia Society Policy Institute report, Reconciling Expectations with Reality in a Transitioning Myanmar.