04/2004

Ambassador from Peru

Eduardo Ferrero-Costa '92, Peru, has been appointed ambassador to the United States. A law professor and expert in international law, Ferrero-Costa previously served as his country’s ambassador to the Organization of American States in Washington. He is a former foreign minister and served on a UN commission against racial discrimination.

Eisenhower Fellowships launched its 2004 Multi Nation Program in Philadelphia recently with a week of seminar discussions, site visits, professional meetings, and social events. “I am immensely pleased to welcome this group into the Eisenhower network,” said Eisenhower’s president Adrian Basora. “These men and women demonstrate the very qualities that we’ve sought in choosing Fellows for the last 50 years: They are dynamic and accomplished leaders of integrity, committed to positive change.”

Fellow Honored for Role in Thai Media

Keisha Hegamin ’04, USA, has been chosen one of the 40 people under 40 to watch in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Business Journal chose “dynamic up and comers” who the editors consider outstanding for the way they have helped make greater Philadelphia a better place to do business and live. Hegamin, a lawyer who serves as president and executive director of the Philadelphia Black Alliance for Educational Options, traveled to New Zealand on her fellowship. There she explored what educational opportunities are provided to students in the minority population, how these options have affected student achievement, and how parents are involved in their children’s education.

Durham Business Leader Chosen Chairman of Transit Authority

William G. Smith ’03, USA, has been elected chairman of the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) Board of Trustees. Smith, who is president and CEO of the Mutual Community Savings Bank, has served on the transit authority board since 1998. His fellowship took him to Australia where he studied ways in which Australian banks reach out to and improve services for traditionally under-served communities.

Sustainable Headquarters in Madrid

Alfonso Vegara ’87, Spain, president of Fundación Metrópoli, announced the March 26 inauguration of the organization’s new headquarters in Madrid. The specially-designed bio-climatic building has been selected to represent Spain at the 2005 International Sustainable Building Congress in Tokyo. Fundación Metrópoli is a not-for-profit institution that offers international perspective on urban and regional development, innovation and planning, informed by best practices from cities around the world. “We aspire to be a real ‘Cities Hub’, a place for knowledge creation and sharing,” said Vegara. “I am very grateful for the continued support of EF and proud of the contributions of the many individual Fellows who have supported our Proyecto CITIES initiative.”

Honored in Santiago

Lucia Santa Cruz ’84, Chile, was one of seven women to be honored by the mayor of Santiago with the City of Santiago - Women of the Year Medal. Santa Cruz, director of the Institute of Political Economy at the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, is the co-founder of the Instituto Libertad y Desarrollo. She also contributes articles on political and foreign affairs to El Mercurio.

Fellows in the News

Jordanian Ambassador Karim Kawar ’00 interviewed on Fox News

Natalia Kudryavtseva ’03, executive director of the St. Petersburg International Business Association for North-Western Russia (SPIBA), profiled in St. Petersburg Times

New President & CEO in Hong Kong

James Heimowitz ’92, USA, is the new president and CEO of Hill & Knowlton North Asia. He will be responsible for the communication consultancy’s operations in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea and will spearhead growth and strategy for the area. Previously, Heimowitz served as president of China Online and managing director corporate strategy for Bankers Trust/Deutsche Bank. His fellowship took him to Taiwan where he focused on financial markets.