2021 Fletcher Women's Leadership Awardees Announced
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit war-torn Syria, Akjemal Magtymova, F14, didn’t hesitate to move there from Oman in April 2020, even though all commercial flights were canceled and she faced an increased risk of falling ill.
"I felt that the decision was critical, and it was imperative that I used my skills and everything that I had learned throughout my career to combat the pandemic's influence in Syria and save lives," says Magtymova, a physician who manages emergency operations as World Health Organization representative and head of office in Syria.
The pandemic has also affected the work of Benedetta Berti, F07, F11, a leading voice in international security who serves as head of policy planning at the office of the secretary-general of NATO. Berti has been rapidly developing new policies for the 30-country alliance as it leads an emergency response to treat and vaccinate staff and provide medical supplies and assistance to its members.
“The pandemic made me realize that I chose the right career path,” she said. “Although the day-to-day is fast-paced, energetic, and dynamic, I am very lucky to be doing work that is meaningful.”
For their work as leaders in global public health and international security, Magtymova and Berti will receive the 2021 Fletcher Women’s Leadership Award (FWLA) on May 20 in a virtual celebration (registration required). The FWLA was established in 2014 by the Fletcher Board of Advisors and the school’s executive leadership to honor outstanding female graduates in the private, public, and nongovernmental sectors.
"Akjemal and Benedetta are true leaders who harness skills they honed at Fletcher to save lives and increase global health and security," said Alice Finn, F86, CEO of Powerhouse Assets, who is a member of the Fletcher Advisory Board and chair of the Fletcher Women's Leadership Award Committee. "I'm honored to recognize two such outstanding models of the kind of impact Fletcher graduates have in the world."