Katarina (Kate) Czarniak serves a Managing Director at Synergos' Global Philanthropists Circle, responsible for our Philanthropy program, including the Global Philanthropists Circle, a community of leading philanthropic families and social investors using their time, influence, and resources to fight poverty and social injustice in their own countries and around the world.

Prior to joining the Synergos in February 2014, Kate spent three years in the Kyrgyz Republic at the University of Central Asia, an Aga Khan Development Network initiative that brings an international standard of education and research to the mountainous communities of Central Asia. As Deputy Head of Development, Kate led the university’s fundraising, program development, and partnership building efforts in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan.

Kate also has significant experience in (and a passion for) supporting and managing international education initiatives. Kate previously worked for IREX in Washington DC, where she oversaw implementation of an international exchange program for secondary school teachers. She also held program development roles at Syracuse University (USA) Abroad and the Council of Europe, helping young people build better cross-cultural understanding through international exchanges and dialogue.

Kate holds a MA in International Relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a BA from the University of Rochester.