Joan Gass

Joan Gass is a prominent figure in the Effective Altruism (EA) movement and has held significant leadership roles in related organizations. She served as the Managing Director and Head of Groups at the Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA), a position she was appointed to in January 2020.4 In this role, she supported Max Dalton, the Executive Director of CEA.

Career Background

Joan has almost a decade of experience in launching and scaling organizations.3 Her career journey includes:

• Being a founding member of Bain & Company's office in Nigeria3
• Working in the nonprofit and education sectors in Uganda1
• Pursuing graduate studies in public policy and MBA programs1

Involvement in Effective Altruism

Joan's involvement with the EA community began during her time in Uganda. A pivotal conversation with a colleague named David led her to reflect on how she could make the most impact and help the most people, regardless of their background or similarity to herself.1 This realization prompted her to explore new causes and eventually connect with the wider EA community.

Contributions to EA

As Managing Director at CEA, Joan:

• Gave the opening talk at the EA Global 2020 Virtual Conference1
• Shared her personal journey and reflections on the EA movement's past and future1
• Supported the growth and development of EA groups

Recent Career Move

In June 2022, Joan left her position at CEA to co-found a new field-building organization in Washington, D.C.2 She is currently the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Horizon Institute for Public Service.5

Joan Gass's career exemplifies a commitment to effective altruism principles, focusing on maximizing positive impact and helping others regardless of personal connections. Her experiences span various sectors, including consulting, nonprofit work, and leadership in EA organizations.