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Tom Opdyke is a bridge builder with more than
ten years of experience across five continents
Tom Opdyke is a bridge builder with more than
ten years of experience across five continents
Raised in Georgia, Tom grew up with one foot in a small town and the other in the bustling Atlanta metropolis. This quickly gave him an appreciation for how diverse groups of people from all different backgrounds can influence one another and create a better world.
He graduated from Georgia State University, spending an entire academic year in Northern England, and later earned two master's degrees from the Australian National University, one in Diplomacy and one in International Relations with a specialization in conflict resolution.
After graduate school, Tom worked for the Carter Center in Sudan where he coordinated logistical, administrative, and security needs during the 2011 South Sudanese Independence Referendum. He dove into the incredible Sudanese culture and found ways to create understandings among a variety of different groups. After the referendum, he returned to Atlanta to work on Carter Center projects in West Africa and South Asia.
In 2012, he became the Political Advisor for the Government of Japan in the U.S. Southeast. Based in Atlanta, Tom designed and implemented a strategy to increase Japan's political, economic, and cultural relationships across the South. This included managing projects and staff, offering input on Georgia legislation, advising high-level Japanese diplomats, organizing events, and representing Japan in politically-sensitive settings. Most importantly, he found ways to bridge the cultural gap between the two countries and created long lasting partnerships.
Wanting to return to international aid work, Tom moved to Myanmar in early 2017. He briefly consulted for HelpAge Myanmar before working for the European Union's MYPOL project, which aimed to reform the Myanmar Police Force (MPF). MYPOL focused on bolstering the country's new democracy by transforming the MPF into a modern police service centered on international best practices, respect for human rights, and the values of community policing. While at MYPOL, Tom also worked with the Myanmar Parliament, civil society organizations, and Myanmar’s media to improve their relationships and oversight of the MPF. Sadly, the project ended in the wake of the military coup that took place in 2021.
Tom settled back in Atlanta after returning from Myanmar. He founded the 5K for Myanmar initiative to raise money and awareness for the people of Myanmar. After doing a 5K every day for a year, he now coordinates participants from all over the world who sign up to do their own 5K for Myanmar.
He formed Opdyke International in 2022 to share his expertise and help groups and organizations build stronger partnerships across cultural divides. He is committed to bringing diverse groups together to build consensus and create a better future.
For inquiries, reach out to us at
info@opdyke.international
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