ESIA alumnus Anthony Zola, B.A. ‘70, discusses his successful career as a development economist in Southeast Asia. After graduating, Anthony joined the U.S. Peace Corps and began an exciting professional life in Thailand, working on agricultural and rural development projects that make a sustainable impact.
“Studying at GWU exposed me to the world of Washington and provided an international perspective, inspired by outstanding GWU professors.”
Anthony Zola
B.A. ‘70
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
I grew up in western New York, where my father was a dairy farmer. Being raised on a dairy farm gave me the agricultural experience that was needed by the U.S. Peace Corps in the 1960s and 1970s. I joined the Peace Corps after studying international affairs at GWU, and was assigned to Thailand. I’ve worked in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia as a development economist my entire professional life as a result.
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
Currently, I am focused on social risk management as it relates to involuntary resettlement and livelihood restoration (i.e., agricultural and rural development). I work with multi-billion dollar investments in renewable energy projects in Laos. I also have been a lecturer on Asian affairs for the Road Scholar educational travel company since 2002.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
I am proud of my work on each of the agricultural and rural development projects that I have worked on over the past 55 years. One example is the Lam Nam Oon Integrated Rural Development Project, funded by USAID in Northeast Thailand in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. It’s one project that I am professionally proud of because it has made a sustainable impact on the lives of people in the project target area.
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
Professor Howard Sacher, Professor of History and International Affairs, who taught history with a passion that inspired his students.
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
Studying at GWU exposed me to the world of Washington and provided an international perspective, inspired by outstanding GWU professors.
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
To work in development economics, one must be smart, passionate, committed, brave, logical, culturally sensitive, and have street-smarts. Without these character traits, professional success will be difficult.
How do you give back to the GW community?
As an alumnus, I am available to and have served as a mentor to some GWU students.
What is a fun fact about you that you'd like to share?
After graduating from GWU, I was eager to join the US Foreign Service and to serve my country as a diplomat. Instead, my roots in agriculture redirected me, leading me to be a rural development diplomat.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the GW community?
The education I received at GWU was excellent. I succeeded in passing the US Foreign Service exam on the first try, but failed the interview because of my age, my lack of international experience, and my lack of a graduate degree. All of my professors at GWU were inspirational and committed to giving us an excellent education.