Lia Chakhunashvili

Lia is the deputy chief of party for the USAID-funded G-MEDIA program, which aims to improve the public’s access to news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels.

Lia led IREX’s USAID-funded Media Innovations Program in Georgia from 2002-2006, first as Deputy Chief of Party and then as Program Director. The program helped improve the legal environment for media, the quality of professional journalism as well as the viability of media businesses. In addition, Lia has worked with IREX Europe as Senior Georgian Media Advisor on the EU-funded Media Strengthening Programme, and with the BBC World Service Trust as Project Director on the EU-funded Community Radio Project in Georgia.

Journalism education is Lia’s primary focus. She has served as Dean of the Caucasus School of Media at Caucasus University, and Director of Development at the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management, which is part of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. Lia also served on the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster from January 2010 to March 2011.

Lia holds a master’s degree in mass communications from San Jose State University, where she studied as a Muskie fellow from 1999-2001. She also holds a master's degree in journalism from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.