“I didn’t come with a defined programme—I came with a need to understand how think tanks work from the inside.”
For Ana María Sánchez, joining the School for Thinktankers in 2022 was more than a professional development opportunity.
With a doctorate in public policy and a postdoctoral focus on social innovation for disability-inclusive projects, Ana María was already deeply engaged in shaping social policy. But she found herself at a crossroads: consulting for a philanthropic organisation and exploring the possibility of embedding a think tank within it. “I needed to understand what a think tank really was, what its biggest challenges were, and to find experiences that could help me apply the concept in my own context.”
Though she had never worked directly in a think tank, Ana María’s career had long intersected with them—through government, civil society organisations, and university-based research. “There’s still a diffuse definition,” she reflects, “but much of what I’ve done fits within what a think tank does.”
What drew her to the sector was its potential to shape public discourse. “I believe the role of think tanks is vital. They create structures, pathways, and spaces for critical thinking. That’s the ideal. Not all think tanks generate critical thought, but if one provokes serious discussion in the public or private sphere to change something, then it has immense value.”
Ana María also sees think tanks as key players in the fight against misinformation. “The fact that different think tanks are reviewing, contrasting, debating, and interacting with diverse information makes them even more important.” But she’s clear-eyed about the challenges, especially in Latin America: “The real challenge is to make that knowledge accessible—not exclusive to certain groups or elites—but to help build a critical mass.”
Before joining the School, Ana María was searching for tools to understand the internal workings of a think tank. “I wanted to know more about their structure. I think the hardest part is choosing and defining the topics to pursue, because you become a leading voice in that area.” She was also curious about the differences between independent think tanks and those linked to universities or businesses. “In my case, I wanted to learn more about autonomy and independence.”
The School for Thinktankers delivered. “It helped me enormously—to clarify things, to build a community, to exchange ideas with others who had the same questions I did.” She vividly remembers the sessions and workshops. “Understanding how to communicate your impact and how to interact with governments was so important.”
Though her role has since evolved—she’s now Director of Philanthropy at CEMEFI—Ana María still carries the lessons of the School with her. “It was a unique, vital space for exchanging ideas. It helped me enter the organisation I was working with in a much stronger way.” She remains connected to the sector, even if her engagement is less frequent. “I did prior research before the School, and I still understand the dynamics of think tanks and how we interact.”
Her advice to future participants?
“I would truly recommend it. If you’re looking for a space of trust and openness to rethink part of your professional journey—whether within a think tank or building one—it’s a great place to learn from others and to explore practical cases and elements that shape how think tanks function.”
Looking ahead, Ana María is focused on immediate challenges and opportunities. “There are exciting projects that require a lot of consolidation and internal negotiation. I’m always drawn to social impact—whether through academia, civil society, or think tanks. I seek spaces that are open to creativity and that foster critical thinking and broad development.”
She closes with heartfelt admiration for the On Think Tanks team: “I love that you’re doing this. I admire the team’s work—it’s been a monumental effort. You’ve built a global network of think tanks, and that’s incredibly valuable.”
Ana María’s journey is a reminder that building a think tank—or building within one—starts with curiosity, grows through community, and thrives on the courage to ask better questions.