Blythe Kladney is the Communications Associate for Innovation Labs at the World Bank Group, where she focuses on how digital communications and development converge. An entrepreneur and former business owner, she is passionate about telling the stories about her fellow social entrepreneurs that are creating innovative solutions to the problems that disproportionately affect the world's poorest people.
Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Blythe worked as the Media and Communications Intern for the General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United States. There, she developed a social media strategy that promoted the Delegation’s message in spite of strong external opposition. As the Near East Affairs Intern at the United States Department of State, Blythe researched and reported on the efficacy of development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. In part due to her efforts, funding for essential infrastructure projects was reinstalled. She also monitored social media channels and reported on developments regarding the Syrian Civil War, the Egyptian Presidential Elections, and developments in Turkey to senior State Department Staff, Senators, and Representatives. She holds an M.A. in International Economics and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she studied Middle East Studies and American Foreign Policy and a B.A. in International Relations and Journalism from New York University.
Prior to pursuing international development, Blythe had a brief stint in political campaigning immediately following her undergraduate studies at New York University, however she was enticed by the vita bella and moved to Florence, Italy. There she was a founding partner of an American-style restaurant and founded a non-profit that promoted a community-wide clothing swap that decreased waste and promoted cross cultural exchange. A former professional dancer, avid knitter, yogi, and amateur-ish sommelier, she tries to represent the vita bella every day.
Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Blythe worked as the Media and Communications Intern for the General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United States. There, she developed a social media strategy that promoted the Delegation’s message in spite of strong external opposition. As the Near East Affairs Intern at the United States Department of State, Blythe researched and reported on the efficacy of development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. In part due to her efforts, funding for essential infrastructure projects was reinstalled. She also monitored social media channels and reported on developments regarding the Syrian Civil War, the Egyptian Presidential Elections, and developments in Turkey to senior State Department Staff, Senators, and Representatives. She holds an M.A. in International Economics and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she studied Middle East Studies and American Foreign Policy and a B.A. in International Relations and Journalism from New York University.
Prior to pursuing international development, Blythe had a brief stint in political campaigning immediately following her undergraduate studies at New York University, however she was enticed by the vita bella and moved to Florence, Italy. There she was a founding partner of an American-style restaurant and founded a non-profit that promoted a community-wide clothing swap that decreased waste and promoted cross cultural exchange. A former professional dancer, avid knitter, yogi, and amateur-ish sommelier, she tries to represent the vita bella every day.