Conici Blount HKSEE 2018 joined the Dean’s Council in 2024 after hearing Dean Weinstein speak at an alumni event. A veteran of the U.S. Army and a lawyer, Conici is a career civil servant who worked for many years at the Department of the Treasury. Today, she serves at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She is interested in finance, the arts, education, strategy philanthropy, and providing a platform for nonprofits to collaborate. “It is amazing to see what is possible through giving,” she says.
What inspired you to join the Dean’s Council?
I was extremely impressed with Dean Weinstein's remarks at the HKS on the Road event in DC last year. I’d enjoyed serving on the HKS Washington, D.C. Alumni Council and the timing was right to be involved in a different way, so I decided to reach out to learn more about the Dean’s Council.
What about the School’s mission resonates with you?
I like that it’s leadership focused and promotes connecting students with practitioners, providing access to cutting-edge research, and solving public problems. All of these are essential to having a successful career in the public sector.
What led you to pursue Executive Education at HKS?
My interest developed over time. Before attending the program I chose—Digital Transformation in Government—I researched different options that some of the managers I worked with had attended. The program was my introduction to HKS, and I choose it because it was timely and I could see how it would help me advance in my career.
“Giving helps open doors for others that would otherwise be closed.”
How did the Executive Education program here affect your career and life?
It showed me what was possible through continuing education when the right resources are dedicated to ensure a program's success. The interactions with my cohort and the professors were amazing. Over the years, I have used what I learned—and I liked that the material was forward-thinking and that I could proactively apply the content. Also, the program’s format encouraged collaboration, which is a skill that can be used in different settings. I also like the accessibility of HKS, in that there are different programs and continuous learning is possible.
What impact do you feel your giving has?
Giving helps open doors for others that would otherwise be closed. There's also an aspect of paying it forward and creating opportunities and connections for others, as well as inspiring additional giving. It is amazing to see what is possible through giving.