Atia Thurman draws on more than 22 years of professional experience and leadership redesigning systems and activating partnerships to drive positive change. As a lecturer at the Brown School, she facilitates learning experiences that emphasize leadership, community-driven practice, and social policy. In her role with the Office of Practicum Education (OFE) she directs that focus toward the Social Impact Leadership and Children, Youth, and Family concentrations, guiding the next generation of social workers to pursue excellence and foster meaningful change in society.

Atia supports the scholarship and practical application of mindful-based principles through her leadership with WashU’s Mindfulness Science and Practice group, and integrates mindfulness in her facilitation of Dialogue Across Difference courses, which foster critical thinking and civil discourse among students. Atia is also a trained coach and serves as a Faculty Coaching Fellow through the Office of the Provost.

Previously, Atia served as the inaugural associate director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, where she provided strategic, operational leadership in establishing and advancing the Institute’s mission of creating lasting, systemic change for children and families. During her tenure, she was instrumental in founding the Graduate Policy Scholars program and championing high quality, equitable early childhood education.

A Brown School alum (MSW ’02), her approach to strategic change is rooted in social work principles, catalyzing the strengths of individuals and institutions to address challenges and improve community wellbeing. Her career is characterized by contributions to various interdisciplinary projects, cultivating impactful partnerships and initiatives in the areas of education, health and human services, and community development. Her lifelong mission is to help create a thriving society where individuals can achieve their full potential, and communities enjoy shared peace and prosperity.

Brad Tucker is an educator, dedicated to adult learning, and an international development professional passionate about advancing social justice and maximizing human development in the Global South – especially Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tucker believes that local governments and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play critical roles in achieving these objectives. Through organizational development consulting, program design, and leadership/management training, Tucker partners with local governments and NGOs working in the Global South to enhance their effectiveness and increase their impact. Tucker has worked with organizations such as USAID, RTI, PACT and The Aga Khan Foundation.

Tucker’s teaching, training, and learning facilitation aims to equip individuals for more effective practice in international social and economic development and nonprofit management.  At the Brown School, he teaches related subjects: International Social and Economic Development (ISED) Policy; ISED Theory; Management and Leadership of Organizations; and Leading and Managing Employees, Volunteers and Teams. Tucker is chair of the MSW concentration in ISED.

Prior to coming to the Brown School, Tucker taught at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH; served as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID in Washington, DC, Indonesia and Kenya; and directed a development program with activities in over 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tucker earned a BSFS in International Relations, Law & Organization and a Certificate in African Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He earned both an MSW in Social & Economic Development and a PhD in Social Work with a focus on NGO organizational development/effectiveness from Washington University in St. Louis.