Diplomatic Spotlight: Intevity honors Kathy Kemper

On March 23, digital consulting firm Intevity hosted a dinner at Georgetown’s Café Milano to honor former Georgetown University tennis coach Kathy Kemper and her nonprofit Institute for Education.

“I think the work that [IFE] is doing, creating that pathway for underrepresented communities to have a career in technology is such a gift, and it’s something that, professionally and personally, I really hold dear,” said Intevity CEO Ben Elmore. The event not only recognized Kemper’s tireless efforts in making technology education equal for all, but also celebrated IFE’s new partnership with Intevity. 

Kemper founded IFE in 1991 to connect technology and innovation education to the global community. In recent years, it has become best known for forging a collaboration between the public and private sectors in the D.C. metro area. 

But Kemper’s career didn’t start this way.  

She coached the Georgetown women’s tennis team from 1978 to 1990, before becoming a private coach and focusing on her nonprofit. These connections undoubtedly led her to her most unique role: coaching Washington’s lawmakers, diplomats, celebrities and more, including Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who came to support her at the March 23 event. 

“She brings people together for a reason and the reason is to spread her knowledge and ability,” said Breyer. 

Breyer was joined by Stavros Lambrinidis, chief of the European Union’s mission in Washington; Singapore Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri; Aneesh Chopra, former US  chief technology officer, and many others who gave toasts in Kemper’s honor. 

“A lot of you here are part of the Institute for Education and leadership I’ve known for a long time,” said Kemper. “We got out on the tennis court and we’ve been friends and you all have been a huge part of the Institute for education for years…my hats are off to you and I’m so happy to be here.”