Emerging Leaders: In Their Own Words
Fellows in the AED Center for Leadership Development programs have their own unique stories to tell about where they have come from, the work they are doing now, and their plans for the future. Each of them has learned something different from their experiences as fellows. The following are brief profiles of seven fellows participating in the New Voices program or the Kellogg Southern Africa Leadership program. In their own words, they describe what their experience has meant to them.
KELLOGG SOUTHERN AFRICA LEADERSHIP (KSAL)
Godfrey Khumalo
A lecturer at the University of Swaziland, Godfrey Khumalo is studying for a doctorate in range science at New Mexico State University. He is hoping to work with students and community farmers to develop better ways of using available pastures and keeping them from being overgrazed. This is especially important in Swaziland, where beef cattle are a major export and production has had a negative impact on the land.
“Through the AED/Kellogg program I have had several opportunities that have strengthened my leadership skills and experience. The workshops, conferences, and core programs have helped me to be focused in my study program, and to ask myself relevant questions that help address the burning issues in the community. Leadership involves winning people’s confidence, participation, and involvement in addressing the most pressing needs in your community. I have learned that as a leader one must be able to establish what the problem is, and what its magnitude is. I have also learned that scientific and convincing research can help change people’s attitudes. My beliefs have been reinforced that, indeed, leadership involves being sensitive to people’s needs, and doing your best to address the problem with the people involved.”
Makuena Lebusa
Makuena is studying integrated pest management at Oklahoma State University. She also hopes someday to have an insect museum in her community in Lesotho so young people will have a better notion of good and bad insects, and how to use the former to deal with the latter. Because of her fellowship, Makuena learned about the relationship between orange ladybeetles and wasps, and how they can be used to control the aphids that can destroy crops.
“Through my fellowship I have been taught how to present in sessions with other fellows. And that has really helped me a lot because now I am able to stand in front of people and talk about what I am doing. I will be able to address all kinds of audiences with the knowledge I have now. When I return home, I will teach about plant protection. I shall take a lead in teaching the students who will be the future of pest management in Lesotho.”
Tengetile Mathunjwa 
A faculty member from the University of Swaziland, Tengetile Mathunjwa is studying for her Ph.D. in nursing at Case Western University. She hopes to gain additional clinical and economic experience that she can bring to the subject areas of health care administration and community outreach. Her passion, she says, is improving healthcare administered by family members to their relatives with HIV/AIDS.
“The fellowship has really helped me because I have gained insight into how I can contribute to policy formation in Swaziland. Because I think what we need are policies---and I can be influential in advocating for these policies. With the knowledge I have acquired I will be a consultant for my government and an expert in family caregiving. It is an honor, and I am so grateful to be in the WKKF fellowship program."
Fortunate Zwane
Fortunate is working toward a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University. She previously served as a community mental health nurse in Swaziland, addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS in the community. She is interested in promoting public health at the community level by integrating development and health, and addressing economic and personal well-being.
“Having been part of the dialogue in this program, I find it easy to conduct conversations, whereas before I would find it difficult. As a leader, you need to make your point and drive it home so people can take it and use it. I see the world in a different view now. We share a lot of problems. That interaction gives me some ideas on how I can go about helping my community. I think it is up to me now to make my country, my region, and the world a better place.”
NEW VOICES
Loulena Miles
As a staff attorney for Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), Loulena Miles is conducting an extensive review of a recent environmental impact statement on the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one the top nuclear weapons laboratories in the United States. She has also been offering the organization fresh investigative reporting on U.S. nuclear weapons and biological agent activities, and has been involved in advocacy efforts addressing U.S. neglect of international treaty obligations.
“Certainly being part of a community of activists has provided me with new contacts and new networking opportunities. I’ve also had skills training in areas like how to work with the media and improve my public speaking—things that help me in my day-to-day work. My position would not be possible without this fellowship program.”
Ajamu Kitwana
Ajamu Kitwana is the environmental justice coordinator for Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, a Bronx, New York-based organization working to redevelop the Bronx River and Soundview/Bruckner neighborhoods. Kitwana conducts research and coordinates efforts to shape and engage local youth, and develop a curriculum for hands-on environmental education.
”The New Voices Fellowship has allowed me the opportunity to realize my dream job. As an environmental engineer, I have always been driven by the hope to work with an urban community to reverse the effects of environmental racism. But as I was leaving Stanford with a master’s degree and looking for a job, there were absolutely no employment opportunities for engineers to work for community organizations. The typical career track was to go to corporate America or to government. AED gave me the support I needed to blaze the trail for a new career track for responsible engineers.”
Cecilie Surasky
As the communications director for Jewish Voice for Peace, an Oakland, California-based organization promoting the human, civil, and economic rights of all people in the Middle East, Cecilie Surasky works to increase her organization's coverage in both mainstream and alternative regional, national, and international media outlets. She also works to position the organization as a trusted media source.
“AED's New Voices program hasn't just strengthened my leadership skills, it has made possible a quantum leap in those skills. While I have an extensive background in public-interest communications, I had no professional experience in Middle East politics when I started at Jewish Voice for Peace. Anyone working on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict knows that this is one of the most complex and challenging political issues in the world today. Because of AED's New Voices program, instead of spending years laboring in the margins of the movement, I was able to start in my organization, and in the Jewish peace movement, in a visible leadership position.”
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