Supporting sustainable community development

Scott Coppa ’15

Executive Director and Co-Founder, Puente Desarrollo Internacional

MAJOR: AMERICAN STUDIES

 

Following graduation, Coppa moved to the Dominican Republic for a volunteer stint with the Peace Corps, an experience that has led to a life-changing partnership to promote sustainable community development.

Inspired by the needs he came to know so well throughout his service with the Peace Corps, Coppa co-founded Puente Desarrollo Internacional, a nonprofit organization that connects international development organizations and local institutions with underserved communities more efficiently to make development work more collaborative, impactful, and sustainable. He has partnered with friend and classmate Paul Anthony ’15 on the groundbreaking initiative.

Puente, which means “bridge” in Spanish, addresses the lack of reliable health and socioeconomic data than too often proves challenging to development by using cutting-edge technology and data services. In addition to employing a data-driven approach, Coppa, working with Anthony and other colleagues, continues to empower local residents so they can serve as advocates for sustainable development that will improve and uplift their communities.