Kennedy School's Edward S. Mason Fellows Named

Acurio, Romulo, Peru, International Affairs: Acurio was chief of the Ecuador department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru during the historic period of negotiations that will hopefully lead to a lasting peace agreement between the two countries. He holds a degree in philosophy from the Sorbonne and has published poetry in Peru.

Anoh, Simplice, Ivory Coast, Business & Government: Anoh was a consultant on the Ivory Coast Economic Support Program. He designed and implemented an information system for public enterprises to help the government monitor the key performance indicators of its portfolio.

Cabrera Hidalgo, Arturo, Ecuador, International Affairs: As a diplomat and a lawyer, Hidalgo has worked 10 years for the Ecuadorian Foreign Service. In his last mission he served as representative of Ecuador to the Organization of American States, consul of Ecuador in Washington, D.C. (Chief of Mission), and political officer at the Embassy of Ecuador to the United States of America, negotiating on behalf of Ecuador at several different levels.

Cheng, R. Jane, Taiwan, International Affairs: Cheng was assistant director-general of the Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chow, Thomas, Hong Kong, Civil Service: Chow was administrative assistant to the financial secretary of Hong Kong before joining the Mason Program. Before the British territory was returned to the People's Republic of China in 1997, he served as assistant private secretary to two governors of Hong Kong.

Clopatofsky, Jairo, Colombia, Politics/Reform: Clopatofsky developed a special project to advocate for disabled Colombians. He also founded an Independent Colombian Political Party and was elected to the Colombian Senate.

Ding, Zhaolin, China, Journalist: As a journalist for the Xinhua News Agency of China, Ding Zhaolin served as resident correspondent in overseas bureaus, including Hanoi, Vietnam. He proposed and negotiated the first project marketing Xinhua's English news inside China. He enjoys reporting the opening of China to the world, and introducing the changing world to the Chinese people.

Dipodiputro, Widharma, Indonesia, Civil Service: Dipodiputro contributed to the transformation of his government office from bureaucratic and conservative to a more advanced-thinking and liberal establishment. As a result, the office can better serve its purpose.

Gada, Abera Tola, Ethiopia, NGO/Nonprofit: Gada founded a grassroots non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting human rights and democracy in his country. He now serves as executive director of this NGO, called HUNDEE.

Gana, Jose, Chile, NGO/Nonprofit: Gana worked as project manager analyzing technical and financial feasibility for manufacturing plants in South America. He was also a researcher for a project about the "divergence syndrome" in social systems. Jose has worked in many NGOs, improving fundraising strategies.

Gomez, Alfredo, Venezuela, Energy: Gomez is a professional in Venezuela's energy sector. He has recently focused on opening the gas industry to third parties.

Gonzalez-Chavez, Manuel, Peru, International Affairs: Gonzalez-Chavez worked in the trade department of the Embassy of Peru in Australia. He participated in the process of gaining Peru's membership into APEC.

Hailulu, Vinson, Namibia, State & Local Government: Hailulu held the position of city manager in the city government of Windhoek, Namibia's capital, where he brought about an organizational transformation which has begun to bear fruit.

Harasim, Anca, Romania, NGO/Non-profit: Harasim was executive director of the Soros Foundation-Romania, an NGO. Under her leadership, the budget grew from $100,000 (in 1990), to $12,000,000 in 1997. She went on to lead the Fulbright Commission in Romania.

Kadiev, Georgi, Bulgaria, Journalism: Kadiev was a journalist at the largest Bulgarian newspaper. Over the last two years, he launched his own Kadiev News Service.

Kasyanov, Sergy, Ukraine, NGO/Nonprofit: Kasyanov came to KSG from the position of Senior Researcher at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute. In addition, he heads a trade union and leads indigenous NGO's advocating for political reform.

Kaylor, Gayle, South Africa, Higher Education: Kaylor is director of the Executive Training Division in the School of Government at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. She initiated the first "Women Management Program" in the country in August 1996.

Kazakhetsyan, Artashes, Armenia, Energy: Kazakhetsyan worked as a program development specialist at the Caucasus Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was heavily involved in the restructuring of energy sectors of Armenia and the Republic of Georgia.

Khan, Tariq, Pakistan, Civil Service: Khan is a career civil servant who most recently was working as deputy secretary in the finance department of the government of Balochistan (a province in Pakistan). Earlier in his career, as deputy commissioner of Kohlu (a very poor tribal district of Balochistan), he initiated an innovative program of integrated rural development.

Kuri, Ricardo, Mexico, Business & Government: Before attending the Mason Program, Kuri was engaged in consulting projects dealing with restructuring of governmental agencies, as well as appraisal of investment projects. He was also involved in venture capital and real estate initiatives.

Lai, John, Taiwan, International Affairs: Lai was assistant secretary-general, ICDF (International Cooperation & Development Fund, Taiwan), an institute he helped establish.

Lan, Lijun, China, International Affairs: Lan Lijun was counselor in the Dept. of North American and Oceanic Affairs in the Foreign Ministry. Over the years, he has enjoyed working in many different missions overseas.

Loewe Munoz, Veronica, Chile, Environment: Loewe Munoz is a forestry engineer who has worked as project leader, executive vice-director, business manager, and executive director for the Forestry Institute (INFOR). The INFOR conducts applied forestry research at the national level. Loewe Munoz is proud to have initiated and developed the technical area related to high value timber production (mainly hardwoods), a topic that is generating a great deal of interest in Chile.

Lorenti, Pedro, Argentina, Civil Service, Business/Government: A lawyer specializing in administrative law and international (common market) law, Lorenti has held senior positions in the civil service and in the private sector, mainly in the area of public utilities. He has an interest in politics.

Luna-Barros, Ana Elisa, Mexico, Press and Politics: Luna-Barros worked at the Ministry of Trade in the Mexican Antidumping System. She has established a bridge between the Mexican government and the media to bring greater understanding of government policies to Mexico's citizens.

Macamo, Jose, Mozambique, Political/Economic Development: For the last ten years Macamo has worked as an independent consultant, especially in the areas of economic growth, cross-border trade, and development.

Meng, Kun, China, Medicine/Science and Technology: Meng Kun was most recently a research associate at the Harvard Medical School where he discovered a receptor that plays an important role in cancer development. He hopes to move into the field of science and technology back home in China.

Molina, Ramiro, Bolivia, NGO/Nonprofit: Molina led an NGO-Foundation oriented to the social needs of Bolivia's indigenous groups. He held senior NGO and government positions in human development. He served as Bolivia's first Secretary of Indigenous Affairs.

Mondragon, Martha, Colombia, Environment/NGO: Mondragon is a founding member and executive director of Centro de Investigacion de Los Bosques Tropicales (CIBT, Tropical Research Center), an NGO committed to rain forest protection. She is also project director and scientific coordinator for Los Cedros Biological Reserve. She was involved in the formulation of the National Forestry Plan, the implementation of the first sustainable forestry plan for Ecuador, and the protection and conservation of 6,400 hectares of land (Los Cedros Biological Reserve).

Montoya, Francisco, Costa Rica, Civil Service/State Reform: Montoya was chief advisor to the president of the legislative assembly of Costa Rica. He helped design and implement an experiment in decentralization and citizen participation in a rural zone of Costa Rica, leading to improved community decision-making, efficiency in public services and reducing corruption. The World Bank and the UNDP are now expanding this project to the rest of the country.

Ng, Chee Khern, Singapore, Defense: Ng was head of the Air Plans Department (acquisition department and budget controller) of the Singapore Air Force. Simultaneously, he's an administrative officer in the Singapore civil service and is expected to serve in the civil service after his career with the Air Force. Earlier he served as a fighter pilot and squadron commander of an F-5E squadron. All this from an Oxford-trained philosopher!

Nyun, Mra Sabai, Myanmar, NGO/Social Sector: Nyun was project manager at the Association François-Xavier Bagnoud, managing programs at the grass roots level, reintegrating commercial sex workers into society.

Ochirbal, Enkhbayar, Mongolia, Business/Government: Ochirbal most recently served as chairman and CEO of the Mongolian Stock Exchange. He was also one of a two-person team that developed a privatization system for Mongolia.

Ople Osorio, Susana, Philippines, NGO/Press & Politics: Ople Osorio works as the media relations officer of the office of senate president pro tempore Blas Ople. She also serves as the executive director of the Citizens' DrugWatch Foundation, an NGO active in the field of substance abuse prevention. She is a former columnist for the Manila Chronicle and author of a book about drug abuse entitled, Hugs, Not Drugs.

Paganini, Marcelo, Argentina, Business/Government: Paganini is a management consultant with Booz-Allen, Buenos Aires, interested in business/government interaction. His academic background is in nuclear engineering.

Pamintuan, Arlene, Philippines, Energy, Environment, Government: Pamintuan is an economist who served as deputy chief of party for a USAID-funded program on climate change mitigation in the Philippines. She was also the program's advisor on energy/ power policy, planning and environmental compliance.

Pan, Hejun, China, International Affairs: Pan Hejun was the director of the Western European Department of the Foreign Ministry. He led a team to negotiate and work out, with British counterparts, the joint statement of the first EU-China Summit last April.

Pavluchenko, Sasha, Russia, Economic Development/Reform: Pavluchenko's previous position was USAID consultant to the government of Ukraine, where he carried out the successful implementation of a mass privatization program. Successful implementation of the program allowed the government of Ukraine to receive a $310 million loan from the World Bank.

Pedraza, Gustavo, Bolivia, Human rights/NGO: Pedraza has long been a well-known human rights activist in his country. He recently served as counselor of the Bolivian Mission at the United Nations in New York, in charge of narcotics and human rights issues.

Pereira, Rene Sergio, Bolivia, Political/Economic Development, Business/Government: Pereira was the first executive president of Nacional Financiera Boliviana S.A.M., a second tier bank organized as a private corporation, with participation of the Ministry of Finance and the Andean Development Corporation as shareholders. He was successful in bringing together an excellent team of well-educated professionals to carry out the institutional design and launching of the corporation.

Rasul-Bernardo, Amina, Philippines, Government/Politics: Rasul-Bernardo has served in the cabinet as presidential adviser on youth affairs, responsible for passage of a law creating the National Youth Commission. She organized and managed the Commission and was responsible for the formulation of an integrated and comprehensive national youth development plan for 21 million Filipino youth. During the same period, she simultaneously served as director of the Development Bank of the Philippines and as Commissioner on Women. Earlier, as director of the Philippine National Oil Corporation, she participated in the privatization of the largest government corporation -- PETRON, the counterpart of Shell and Caltex in the Philippines.

Restrepo, Andres, Colombia, NGO/Nonprofit: Restrepo was regional manager of a non-profit association where he launched a scholarship program. Twenty-one low-income youngsters are currently studying at the university through his program.

Robredo, Jesse, Phillipines, State & Local Government/Politics: Robredo was Naga city's mayor for 10 years and president of the League of Cities of the Philippines for three years. He was chiefly responsible for turning his city around and reclaiming its role as the premier city of the region. In the process, he introduced innovations that now serve as models for other Philippine municipalities. He was also involved in regional planning and development as chairman of the Regional Development Council and the Metro Naga Development Council.

Sam, Borin, Cambodia, NGO/Human rights: Sam has recently been senior program officer of a grant-making organization, The Asia Foundation. After 13 years as a refugee, he returned to Cambodia as chief media monitor during the UNTAC settlement and election period. Then, as senior administrative officer to the new Constituent Assembly, Borin helped draft the country's constitution. The strategy of his NGO support through the Asia Foundation is to involve citizens, especially women, in the political life of the country and to ensure human, political, and civil rights and the rule of law.

Sideek Barwari, Nasreen, Iraq, NGO/Nonprofit: Sideek Barwari directed a program of UNCHS (Habitat) in her governorate for a population of 750,000 persons spread among 1000 villages and 50 towns and cities. The program consists of resettlement and rehabilitation activities. Nasreen is the only national and the only woman leading a U.N. agency in the country.

Silva, Claudia, Argentina, Civil Service/Economic Development: Silva is national director of Assets Recovery in the Ministry of Economy, Public Works and Services (MEPWS). Here she leads the liquidation of publicly regulated units now privatized, the leveling of credits and debts from the private sector towards the national state, and the "turnaround" of private companies (the building up of capital assets out of public credits and selling of stocks by means of a public bid). During 1997, Silva was appointed a member of the evaluating committee for the privatization of the military plants. She has also taught at the Catholic Argentine University, and she has been a member, since 1996, of the advisory board of the Higher Institute of Government Economists.

Sousa, Mario Adauta, Angola, Civil Service: Sousa was the general director of the Angola National Institute of Statistics, which he has built into a modern institute serving his country.

Stas, Marian, Romania, Defense: Stas taught at the Technical Military Academy in Bucharest. He has worked in the Ministry of National Defense, as chief of office in the Military Education Directorate (1994-1997) and in the Human Resources Management Directorate (1997-present).

Sun, Chanthol, Cambodia, Political/Economic Development, Business & Government: Sun has served as secretary of state for economy and finance and as secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), from 1994 to 1997. He succeeded in establishing the CDC to effectively promote and facilitate foreign investment to Cambodia. Since its inception, the CDC has successfully promoted and approved over $3 billion of foreign direct investment into Cambodia and created over 100,000 jobs for Cambodians. He is also very proud of the contributions that he made, as national executive for G.E. in Thailand, in expanding G.E.'s business presence in Thailand by forming four joint venture companies.

Tan, Yih San, Singapore, Defense: Yih San Tan was the assistant director of the research and plans department, Ministry of Defense of the Singapore armed forces. The department deals with planning issues and from it allocating resources such as budget and manpower.

Tang, Pan-Pan, Taiwan, Journalism: Pan-Pan Tang was CEO of three of the oldest news institutions in China and Taiwan. In addition he is founding commissioner of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Under his leadership, the national team of Taiwan won the silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the first time that baseball was played as an official Olympic event.

Teo, Jing Siong, Singapore, Defense: Jing Siong Teo is a lieutenant colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces, working in the personnel department of the army. Commanding a battalion and organizing the National Day Parade were two of the most significant achievements in his career.

Tin Oo, Cynthie, Myanmar, NGO/Nonprofit: Tin Oo was the country representative/program director of Save the Children/USA (Myanmar Program), where she implemented programs in the areas of health, education, and economic development at the grassroots level.

Tschibelu, Mpetenga (Athie), Congo, Politics/Journalism: Tschibelu has divided his time among the private sector, university teaching, and journalism, serving as editorialist and columnist for UMOJA and La Renaissance and communications director for the Union for Democracy and Social Progress.

Tse, Elizabeth, Hong Kong Sar, China, Civil Service/International Trade and Finance: Tse was the principal assistant secretary for trade and industry. In that position, she introduced, among other measures, a successful licensing scheme for the manufacture of optical discs to facilitate better control of possible copyright piracy issues in the region.

Unson, Socorro, Philippines, Health: Unson served as a management consultant in the government of Quezon City, the largest city in the Philippines. Being involved in health programs, systems and policies, one of her duties was to maximize the delivery of health services in the face of budget cuts. To achieve this, she recommended and implemented the Unified Health System to coordinate the relevant government offices and agencies and to enlist the support and cooperation of various non-government organizations for health-related programs and activities.

Xiang, Feng, China, International Trade: After three years as a diplomat in the Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon (1993-1996), Xiang Feng served as deputy director at China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), working directly with the ministers at MOFTEC to formulate trade policy and participate in trade negotiations.

Yang, Aimin, China, Business & Government, Banking: Before attending the Mason Program, Yang Aimin was a deputy chief manager and head of the foreign affairs division of the International Department at the China Construction Bank. He is most proud of being a pioneer in starting the overseas fund-raising business for the international department, which has become a great success for the department.

Yang, Chaoying, China, Defense: Yang Chaoying was a deputy section chief in the Ministry of Defense in China. He promoted exchanges and understanding among professionals from China and the U.S. working in the area of international security.

Zheng, Jie, China, Telecommunications: Zheng Jie was the president of Shanghai Long Distance Telecommunications Company. He upgraded the numbering plan of the telephone network and made mobile services more competitive.

Zhu, Shan, China, Defense: Zhu Shan was a staff officer at the U.S. desk of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense. He contributed to the development of Sino-U.S. military relations.