Learning First Alliance Staff

Claus von Zastrow, Executive Director

vonzastrowc@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x115

Claus von Zastrow is the Executive Director of the Learning First Alliance, where he works with the CEOs and elected leaders of the Alliance member organizations to implement Alliance goals and strategies.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Claus served as Director of Institutional Advancement for the Council for Basic Education in Washington, DC. While directing communications and development at CBE, he undertook and published research on the impact of state and federal policy on school practice.

Before working at CBE, Claus was a policy director at the National Alliance of Business (NAB), where he developed and managed policy initiatives to improve student achievement at all levels, promote universal access to higher education, and formulate sound workforce development strategies focused on lifelong learning. At NAB, he conducted the opening phase of the American Diploma Project’s “Workplace Study,” a national initiative to identify what the business community expects high school graduates to know and be able to do.

Claus received his Ph.D. from Yale University and undergraduate degrees from both Oxford University and Dartmouth College.

Susan Eagle, Finance Director

eagles@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x140

Susan Eagle joined the Learning First Alliance as the Finance Director in March 2002. She began her career as an audit associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Deloitte & Touche, focusing on the non-profit industry. Upon graduating from business school, Susan worked as a senior management consultant for McKinsey & Company where she worked on Board-level strategic issues for companies in various industries. Susan received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, with distinction, from the McIntire School of the University of Virginia. Susan is also a licensed CPA.

Gabriela Kopchak, Administrative Director

kopchakg@learningfirst.org
202-296-5220 x153

Gabriela Kopchak joined the Learning First Alliance as the Administrative Director in August 2006. Prior to joining the Alliance, Gabriela worked at the U.S. embassies in Sri Lanka, and China. While in Colombo-Sri Lanka, she worked in project management for the construction of the new one-million-dollar warehouse facility. In Beijing-China Gabriela worked in the management section administering the classified government procurement program for the mission.

Mrs. Kopchak holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Lima and speaks multiple languages.