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Center for Global Development

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Excellent mission, qualified staff, polite but stuffy culture - Anonymous employee Center for Global Development Employee Review

4.0
21 June 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

CGD is an intimate think tank, punching above its weight in terms of policy impact. Working there is an on-going education in development with access to constant, rich intellectual stimulation. Virtually all staff are supremely qualified, outwardly friendly, and authentically dedicated to making the world a better place. I have a deep admiration for CGD.

Cons

Because everyone is so smart, everyone feels pressure to prove it, which undermines collaboration. While collegiality in a strictly professional, polite sense is high, the psychological safety that allows organizations to efficiently harness collective intelligence is low. That is, good ideas from anxious junior staff (even senior staff) frequently go unsaid. Like most think tanks, CGD rarely can accommodate entire careers, little room for advancement among junior staff. Senior staff can be a little rigid, but I imagine this is common among think tanks.

Explore other reviews about Center for Global Development

5.0
14 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

great work culture and nice people, 30 days of PTO, office close December 25-January 1, and Summer Fridays (ever other Friday off between Labor Day and Memorial Day)

Cons

the pay could be better

4.0
24 Nov 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The benefits to this company include a robust transportation stipend, a professional development stipend, 30 days PTO/year, summer Fridays (every other week), and a 10% 401K contribution after your first year.

Cons

The company clearly caters to its senior fellows, much to the frustration of its associate staff. 3 days a week in the office is unnecessary and clearly a tactic to bring lazy staff into the office and conform to leadership's dislike of remote work. There were even threats to monitor keycard swipes of staff to ensure their presence. This was clearly a targeted aim at senior staff that work remotely and travel, but associate staff are left to be punished. 3-5% raises per annum are negligible in this economy and because of the level of bureaucracy, there's no way to plead your case for more. There's a strong lack of direction from up top, which trickles down to each program and department.

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