24th Edition - October 14, 2010 in

Public Disclosure Authorized Profiles D&I Leadership One in a series profiling the recipients of the 2010 D&I Leadership Awards. Jordan Schwartz, Lead Economist, LCSSD

uring this year’s 7th Annual ences, cultural viewpoints, and D&I Leadership Awards, Lead forms of training. We talk about DEconomist Jordan Schwartz it. We are aware of it culturally as was recognized for “having a keen well as intellectually. We discuss the sense of the unit’s personal and importance of capturing diverse sets professional dynamics….and go- of opinions.” ing far and beyond to incorporate Like a true economist, Schwartz the team’s diverse background and pointed to the empirical evidence. Public Disclosure Authorized personal interests.” “I’ve been steeped in this Scott Page “As complex and diverse as our book called ‘The Difference.’ One of unit is,” said Schwartz, who works its messages is that there are real in LCSSD, “it is probably a reflection benefits to the workplace, particular- of the expectations for our perfor- ly from diversity of perspective that mance and outputs.” Schwartz’ unit comes from training and experience.” is responsible for cross support on Schwartz relies on group inter- economic issues for a wide range of viewing, to good effect. “I’ve become participate, they quickly expect that topics, including transport, energy, more democratic. Our staff is very level of participation. It becomes water and sanitation, urban develop- hard-working and they want com- self-perpetuating.” ment, hazard risk management, envi- mitted colleagues,” he said. “We After a 13-year career in the Public Disclosure Authorized ronmental sustainability, agriculture recently hired a brilliant team assis- Bank, Schwartz has keen insight into and rural development, and climate tant—it turned out the wisdom of the the caliber of new staff: “I’m blown change. Its economists help task group led us to the best decision. No away by the creativity and technical teams carry out evaluations of their doubt about it.” acumen of the people in their mid- projects and programs—and work on Schwartz maintains at least three 20s and early 30s. In my view, they research, strategy, quality assurance, projects per year that engage the are stronger than I was coming out the knowledge agenda, and results. entire unit. “I hope the people here feel of grad school. The absolute young- To deliver on such an expansive as though they’re part of a family. I est members of our group contribute work program, Schwartz has built a certainly do. The size of the group is frequently, substantively, and valu- diverse, closely-knit team. “The team probably one of the reasons. I think it’s ably to what we do.” is just wonderful,” he enthused. “We tough with larger groups. The span of Their workload can be intense, have a great mix of economists that control in the Bank can be quite large, Schwartz said, but he credits his are specialized in different areas, as maybe too large. I have the luxury of staff’s stellar performance to a Public Disclosure Authorized well as some very talented young leading a group that is manageable.” higher purpose. “It feels as if they analysts and researchers who fill Schwartz makes sure everybody is are here because of an ethical the holes for us. It’s a group from involved: “The group is small enough concern for the poor people of the all over the place in terms of back- that nobody gets lost. Silence is more world. They are driven by devel- ground, nationality, and perspective.” conspicuous than voice,” he said. opment challenges. It’s amazing. Of 12 staff, nine nationalities are “People find a way to let me know There truly is something to be said represented. “We are aware of our when they are not being heard. If for that spark inside of people that diversity—the different life experi- you offer them an opportunity to drives them.” thE-Junction October 14, 2010 | page 2 Project: Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States Q&A with La Celia A. Prince

Q: How long have you been region, between North America and Ambassador in Washington, D.C.? Latin America. A: I began my service two years Q: What other issues are you ago as Ambassador to the United working on? States as well as Permanent Represen- A: We are not a country that is rich tative to the Organization of Ameri- in natural resources. Our wealth is can States. However, before becoming our people. Like many small develop- Ambassador, I served as the Deputy ing countries, we have experienced Chief of Mission at the Embassy. The the phenomenon of migration. In dual role that I carry as Ambassador one sense, it depletes the country’s requires me to do a lot of juggling resources, but in another sense, it and prioritizing of my agenda. empowers us. Migration from St. Vin- Q: What are your current priorities? cent and the Grenadines has now led A: St. Vincent and the to a large and resource-rich Diaspora Grenadines is looking to create a living in the United States. When hardly ever down time. I have to more robust trading relationship you have a Diaspora that is engaged, be constantly engaged, particularly with the United States. Because the you can harness their resources and because I carry as Caribbean Community is so small, use that as an engine for growth. I’m Ambassador to the USA and to the it is difficult for us to compete on a therefore engineering partnerships OAS. The life as Ambassador is not global scale, so we have had to seek with our Vincentian Diaspora and as glamorous as it may appear to be preferential trading agreements. One working with various organizations on the outside but, nevertheless, it of our primary roles is to preserve and entities that can help us build our is still very rewarding and gives me the existing preferences that we capacity in education and health, and great satisfaction when I have made have with the United States. We also disaster preparedness for example. some significant accomplishment. wish to secure greater investment Q: In reality, is the life as an Am- Q: Describe your career rise. opportunities with the United States bassador glamorous? A: I never envisaged that I would and other diplomatic partners. A: I’ve been entrusted with a great be my country’s Ambassador in Additionally, we have recently responsibility by our Government, Washington. I am a Lawyer by profes- launched the Caribbean Basin and I am in the service of our people. sion and briefly practiced civil law in Security Initiative with the United Because our human resources at my country before changing course. States, which will seek to curb the Embassy are slim, the demands After completing a Master’s in Law burgeoning criminal activity in our on my time are>K great O V X R ^ K ] X and Y L Ythere _ X N K O \ S is ] $ at Cambridge University, I resolved to make a contribution in sustain- AY\UPY\MO NS`O\]S^c SXMV_NO]able development. This quest led me National Disability Employment ZOYZVO aS^R NS]KLSVS^SO]into the sphere of multilateral trade Awareness Month negotiations in the Caribbean and :KHQLQJUHHWLQJ \RXWRXFKP\KDQG :KDWNQXFNOHG Europe, with a focus on development. VKXWWHUVRSHQ" :KDWIHDU October is National Disability Employment Awareness month. The GR\RXXQOHDUQ" While in Europe, I was asked by my theme—talent has no boundaries—emphasizes the rich diversity Government to serve as Deputy Chief and talent that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace.

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…Q&A with La Celia A. Prince

continued from page 2 ernment took in appointing someone Q: How do you intend to work as young as I am. Our current govern- with the Diaspora to benefit your of Mission in Washington, D.C. When ment has focused on youth as part country? my predecessor’s tour of duty came of nation building and has appointed A: In 2007, CARICOM countries to an end, I was offered the promo- many young persons in senior posi- met in Washington for the Con- tion as Ambassador—a role that I was tions in the government service. I am ference on the Caribbean. One of initially reluctant to assume. However, the youngest Ambassador currently the highlights was the Diaspora many of my colleagues and friends serving in Washington. Forum in which our leaders met strongly encouraged me to accept Q: Describe to us the art of diplo- with Caribbean-Americans who are the promotion. Eventually, I realized macy. Do women have an advantage very much inspired to make their that if the Government of my country as ? contribution to the development of meant to entrust me with so great a A: I wouldn’t want to divide the our region. My Government then responsibility, then I was obligated to sexes. I’m sure that we women would formed the Regional Integration and answer the call to service. be outraged if men claimed that they Diaspora Unit, which is a govern- Q: Who were your key mentors? had perfected the art of ment body designed to engage the A: For me, Nelson Mandela has over and above the abilities of wom- Diaspora on how they can contrib- been an inspiration. He fought with en. I am also confident in my view ute in areas of business and enter- dignity for equality and justice. What I that both sexes are equally competent prise development, culture, health, find most compelling is his generosity in their respective endeavors as dip- and education. My job is therefore of spirit and the magnanimous way he lomats. At the end of the day, diplo- to complete that framework by dealt with his opponents. Diplomacy macy is the art of winning people in ensuring that our Embassy is a vital is about finding solutions to problems the face of what are sometimes the link between our nation and the that appear to be intractable, bridging most intractable problems. Everything Diaspora. For example, one of the deep divides, and creating a harmoni- depends on approach and constant projects that we are working on is ous environment. I feel that in diplo- engagement. My job is to recognize developing protocols for the Diaspo- macy, if you have these attributes, it that as my country’s top , I ra to adhere to in the event that a is a foundation for success. Thus, as a am representing a small country and natural disaster hits our country. St. human being, Mr. Mandela is the gold it is easy for other countries to some- Vincent and the Grenadines is mak- standard in my book. times overlook us because we are not ing vital steps in our development, Q: Are there many women Am- a superpower on the world stage. So but it takes just one big disaster—a bassadors from your country? we have to create our own platform volcanic eruption, earthquake, or A: I am the second female Ambas- and get key support from our friends hurricane—to send us back 10 years. sador from my country. At the mo- and allies in making diplomacy work The Diaspora will always be an ment, I am the only female head of for us. We also need to know when to important resource in helping our mission. Many people have posed the make compromises so that everyone country to make a swift response question to me whether I feel that my walks away with something tangible. should such an eventuality arise. accreditation as Ambassador of my country is of significance because I am a woman. I do not feel that I am National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Oct. 2010 treated any differently because I’m World Bank Group events female. My country is one that has al- 10/18, 12:00–2:00: Preventing Violence in Our Lives: The Gift of Fear. Preston Auditorium. ways used the contribution of women Featuring Gavin de Becker, via video feed (who Oprah Winfrey calls the nation’s leading in the development of our nation. Our expert on violence). Coffee and cookies will be served. Attorney General, the current Deputy 10/20, 12:00–2:00: Domestic Abuse Around the World: What you need to know, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, what you can do to help. IMF, HQ2-01A-830. A light lunch will be served. and several Government Ministers are 10/27, 12:00–2:00: DVIP Players & Telling Amy’s Story. IMF, HQ2-01A-830. A light lunch all female. What is remarkable and will be served. significant is the bold step our Gov- thE-Junction October 14, 2010 | page 4 Aperture: Good Practice in D&I One in a series profiling the leaders of diversity programs around the world. Q&A with Antoaneta Boeva

ntoaneta Boeva is Gender and people to talk as openly about diver- Diversity Officer at the North sity issues as they talk about soccer— AAtlantic Treaty Organiza- with openness and fresh ideas. tion Headquarters. Based in Brussels, Q: What is your biggest challenge? NATO is an intergovernmental politi- A: The biggest challenge is a cal and military alliance. NATO has combination of inherited policies and added new members seven times since institutional culture that prevent us being formed in 1949, and now has 28 all logistically from quickly inducing country members. It has 1,200 civilian change. In an organization with bud- staff and about 320 military staff. get constraints and a slow workforce Q: What is your current role? turnover, change does not come A: My work is raising awareness quickly. The overall share of women in HQ, as well as promoting diversity is steadily increasing, but not nearly and equal opportunity NATO-wide. as fast as we’d like. We have over 30 specialized agencies Q: Does your organization have like a mentoring forum. For us, it’s that are spread around the globe. I targets? a unique opportunity to get together monitor diversity performance in- A: No. Our staffing is solely merit- with colleagues from the other dicators, especially gender, age, and based. But we work with nations, and major international organizations, national representation. help managers understand the ben- exchange ideas, and try to learn Q: What is your organization’s efits of a diverse workforce, as well from their experiences. We share chief rationale for diversity and as help come up with relevant poli- successes. And all this takes place inclusion? cies when needed. There are positive in a comfortable setting that allows A: NATO has a big interest in gen- trends there. Among new recruits, genuine and constructive conversa- der and diversity. NATO is transform- women are well represented: over tion. For our relatively new efforts ing—in house, but also the Alliance’s 36 percent of total staff are women, in NATO, since we really got started missions and priorities are changing. 32 percent of professional staff are in 2003, it’s a tremendous source Diversity issues are driven by the women, but only 17 percent of senior of best practices and information transformation of member nations— management are women. on anything that touches on diver- the empowerment of women, aging Q: What does success look like? sity: training, speakers, contacts, populations. It’s natural for us to act A: There wouldn’t be a gender and literature. If I use it properly, it accordingly. In operations, there’s also and diversity officer anymore, be- will save me years of effort. Pre- the gender aspect. Even if the role of cause that position wouldn’t exist. cisely because our colleagues have women in armed forces is the purview Ideally, diversity would be so main- been working on these issues for 20 of each member state, we act together. streamed that nobody would need years. For NATO’s Secretary Gen- We take very seriously UN Resolu- to monitor it. Fluctuations would eral, UNSCR 1325 is a serious issue, tion 1325, which focuses on women, be minor, temporary, but wouldn’t and he wants our entire alliance to peace, and security—in particular the reverse equality. mainstream a gender perspective protection of women and girls in con- Q: What do you think of ORIGIN? into its operations. flict and post-conflict situations. A: [Editor’s note: ORIGIN is an Q: What is your top priority? international network of diversity For more information, contact A: My main goal is to leave some- practitioners, co-founded by the Pauline Ramprasad, 202-473-0821, thing tangible and lasting. I want Bank Group in 1995.] ORIGIN is [email protected].