About CSDI

Advancing democracy, human rights, and education

Our Mission

To foster and encourage dialogues, discussions and contributions in public health, democracy, and human rights; and to contribute to youth education in art and music in Los Angeles County

Illuminating paths to progress.

CSDI is dedicated to fostering dialogues and contributing to public health, education, democracy, and human rights. The Center commits itself to supporting public deliberation, promoting understandings of contemporary problems, and supporting the academic and practical explorations of solutions vital to longevity of a healthy democratic society. Through its involvement with scholarly publications, academic gatherings, and support of humanitarian projects, CSDI aims to clarify the fundamental challenges faced by democratic societies around the world and illuminate paths to progress.

CSDI Today

Today, CSDI focuses on empowering organizations that drive progress in public health, education, human rights, and the arts—particularly within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Our reach also spans the globe through funding and partnerships with leading institutions like the Brookings Institution, the Atlantic Council, and the International Refugee Assistance Program.

Our People

Chairman of the Board

Robert J. Abernethy

Robert Abernethy is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader who took over CSDI in the 1980's to further his lifelong mission of supporting human rights, democracy, and education.

His educational career began at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering in 1962. Following his service in the United States Navy, he attended Harvard Business School, graduating with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1968. He later pursued advanced professional training at UCLA, expanding his expertise by earning a certificate in Construction Management in 1973 and a certificate in Real Estate in 1974.

Deeply committed to international affairs, policy development, and national security, he was one of the founders of the Pacific Council on International Policy, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Atlantic Council. He also holds key board or trustee positions at the Brookings Institution, the RAND Center for Global Risk and Security, the New Leaders Council, and the Truman National Security Project. Furthermore, he is an active member of the Council on Foreign Relations Chairman's Forum and the U.S. State Department's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. Locally, his prominent civic engagements include the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Music Center, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Board Members

Romano Prodi
Zev Yaroslavsky
Anne-Marie Slaughter
Henry Lorenzen
Giuseppe Vergottini
Jean Poston
Steve Huffman
Andrei Cherny

Board Member Highlight

Romano Prodi

Prodi is a renowned European politician who formerly served as both the President of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004, and as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1996 to 1998, and again from 2006 to 2008. A prominent Italian statesman, he has long championed European integration, civic institutions, and social cohesion. He is a proud supporter of CSDI and its commitment to discourse surrounding the issues of global injustice and democracy promotion.

Board Member Highlight

Zev Yaroslavsky

Zev Yaroslavsky is a longtime civic leader in Los Angeles, having served for nearly two decades on the Los Angeles City Council and two decades on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Over his career, he helped shape the region's health, transportation, and cultural infrastructure while championing fiscal responsibility and good-government reform. He brings deep local expertise and a lifelong commitment to public service to CSDI's work.