Lilian Lehmann , 2010, Switzerland and United States

Innovations for Poverty Action, Global Programmes Manager, Safe Water Programme - Nairobi, Kenya 

On the diversity of the school: While at Fletcher one of the most awe-inspiring aspects was the student body and the wealth of experience and diversity represented. In retrospect, the people I met on campus only scratched the surface. Fletcher alumni (both classmates and older alumni) continue to surprise me at every new destination with their work and their interests.

What makes your current job "Fletcher-esque"? Although based in Nairobi, the majority of my work takes place while traveling to our pilot and scale-up countries. These currently span time zones from Haiti, to Bangladesh, and include Ethiopia, Swaziland, Uganda and India along the way. The fact that at each destination -- as well as in layover cities in between -- mini Fletcher reunions can be orchestrated, is quintessentially "Fletcher-esque." Having first heard about Fletcher in a dusty office in Ho Chi Min City makes all the more sense now.

Favorite book:

City of Glass by Paul Auster

Favorite movie:

Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

Favorite landmark:

The Matterhorn

Most rewarding trip:

Driving a Russian Minsk motorbike through the northwest Vietnamese highlands

Thesis Topic:

Marketing Safe Water to the Base of the Pyramid - A Case Study on a Social Enterprise Approach in Nepal

Fields of Study

  • Human Security
  • Public and NGO Management

Activities involved in at Fletcher

  • Empower: Encouraging Social Entrepreneurship (The Global Leadership Institute)
  • The European Affairs Society
  • Fletcher Global Women

Education before Fletcher

  • MIA, International Affairs & Governance, University of St. Gallen
  • BA, Comparative Literature, Haverford College

Experience before Fletcher

  • Antenna Technologies, Field Research Intern - Geneva and Nepal
  • GRACE/Spirituc, Project Assistant in Corporate Social Responsibility - Lisbon, Portugal
  • Embassy of Switzerland, Academic Intern - Singapore
  • English First, English Teacher - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Languages

  • German
  • Portuguese
  • French
  • English