Annie was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science at Dickinson College where she was first introduced to the amazing experience of living abroad in both Cameroon and Italy. After graduating Dickinson, Annie became a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea, West Africa, where she worked as a Public Health and Community Development volunteer. Her primary focus was AIDS and STI education, reproductive health, maternal and child health, and nutrition. While living in Africa she met her true love, Ryan Durkopp, who became her husband and with whom she co-directs VISIONS Ghana.

Annie joined VISIONS in 2005, co-directing the Guadeloupe program with Ryan for six consecutive summers. What Annie loves most about working for VISIONS is introducing participants to new challenges and experiences. Other interests and passions include traveling in and exploring new places, teaching, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, camping, hiking, animals, and Africa.

Annie has completed all but her thesis for a Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh. Concurrently, she is in the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Infectious Disease and Microbiology. She was recipient of an Andrew W. Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, and an Albert Schweitzer Public Health Fellow, which sent her to Gabon, Africa, in late 2010 to work on improving mothers' and infants' health. She and Ryan now live in Guinea, where Ryan is completing his PhD, and where Annie is continuing her pursuits in the public health field.