Paula Prince, M.A., Class of 2010

"The American Graduate School in Paris set me up for success in an international career.

I grew up in Morehead, Kentucky, in the Appalachian foothills. You may know Morehead from its infamous resident, Kim Davis. Let’s just say that, with a population of around 8,000 residents, Morehead isn’t exactly “international”. After obtaining my Bachelors of Political Science from the University of Louisville, I sought a Master’s program that would truly prep me for a global role. I studied abroad in Spain and India during my undergraduate tenure and was interested in foreign affairs and international development. My time in India was particularly impactful, introducing me to the effects of extreme poverty on the lives of children and families.

The American Graduate School in Paris prepared me in very tangible ways for my future opportunities in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. From gaining proficiency in the French language to conducting thesis research, receiving professor mentorship, and having access to stellar networking opportunities, my time at AGS was highly valuable. Two experiences that helped shape my time at AGS included my internship at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the wonderful guidance I received from Dr. Ruchi Anand while writing and defending my thesis on the privatized military industry. 

After graduation I worked for an international non-governmental organization for 5.5 years called Hope for Haiti. Based in Naples, Florida and Les Cayes, Haiti, the organization works in rural Haitian communities on sustainable development in five core program areas: education, healthcare, clean water, infrastructure, and economy. I lived in Haiti for over four years and occupied various roles within the organization, most recently the Chief Program Officer role. During my time with the organization we subsidized the education of over 6,000 children, provided primary healthcare to 12,000 people annually, installed dozens of computer labs, constructed basic roads to two rural communities, and invested in multiple Haitian-owned social businesses. 

I’m now an Executive Client Manager at Gartner, the world’s leading IT research and advisory company. I work with our amazing team of Executive Partners and world-renowned Research Analysts, to deliver key technology-related insights to public and private sector Chief Information Officers and IT leaders in Eastern Canada. Gartner, a truly global company, has over 13,000 employees worldwide with clients in 90 countries.

While I’ve added artificial intelligence and blockchain to my list of interests, I maintain a strong commitment to global poverty alleviation, foreign affairs, and the impact that technology access can have on the lives of the underrepresented."