Anthony Thompson

Anthony J.P. Thompson, a Mid-Career MPA candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, is an adaptive scholar-practitioner with a career rooted in public service and systemic transformation. Growing up in an underserved neighborhood, Anthony has long felt a profound sense of responsibility to uplift marginalized communities and improve the systems that serve them. This deep commitment has driven his career in public service and systemic reform, where his leadership, innovation, and advocacy have consistently made an impact.

As a community organizer, a nonprofit leader, a director of communications in the New York State Assembly, and a philanthropic consultant, Anthony has helped address critical societal challenges with both strategic vision and practical solutions. His belief in the power of collective action has inspired him to spearhead initiatives in community empowerment, voter mobilization, and policy reform. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony’s leadership came to the forefront when he helped manage a vaccination site that served over 200,000 residents, underscoring his dedication to public health, operational efficiency, and ensuring equitable access to resources.

Anthony’s academic achievements further reflect his commitment to meaningful change. With his first master’s in negotiation and conflict resolution from Columbia University and dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and criminal justice from Canisius College, he blends academic rigor with practical expertise in conflict resolution and collaboration. His work has been instrumental in advocating for justice and democracy, particularly in underserved communities.

Receiving the Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy from the Harvard Ash Center has been a significant step towards fueling Anthony’s mission to revolutionize public administration. Driven by an unyielding purpose to ensure that all people have access to dignity and opportunity, Anthony aims to use his time at Harvard as an Ash Center student fellow to sharpen his ability to create transformative change through public office or working with nonprofits to champion solutions that strengthen our community.