Global Understanding
Chatham recognizes Cynthia Bunton ’74 for her global impact
Understanding the world and making a difference in it are hallmarks of a Chatham graduate. For Cynthia Bunton, these traits are a life-long passion for which she was awarded Chatham’s Cornerstone Award for International Relations during Reunion 2009.
Cynthia is a multi-talented alumna whose accomplishments span the globe. She currently is the Regional Program Director for Asia at the International Republican Institute (IRI), a nonprofit organization that works to support democracy and democratic institutions throughout the world. Cynthia oversees programs in Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea and Timor-Leste.
Before joining IRI, Cynthia was Director of the Office of Country Reports in the Bureau of Democracy of Human Rights and Labor (US Department of State). While at State she served as Consul for Political, Economic, and Commercial Affairs in Naples, Italy; Deputy Political Counselor at the American Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands; and Policy Adviser at the US Mission to the United Nations. She also served as an observer with the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt.
Cynthia received the Department of State’s Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards several times during her tenure. She also received the Franklin Award for her exceptional efforts in developing programs to advance intellectual property rights protection in Italy.
Even though her accomplishments span the globe, Cynthia still dedicates her talents at home. She is a Chatham Trustee, a member of the board of the Washington Network Group and the Women’s Leadership Challenge of the Capitol Area United Way, as well as an accomplished singer and voiceover artist. Cynthia earned a BA in political science at Chatham and an MA in international studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School for Public and International Affairs.
