THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 29 foreign assistance programs would jeopardize national security, endanger U.S. personnel, undermine U.S. economic and diplomatic strength, violate the legal protections of federal employees, and exacerbate ongoing humanitarian crises. The Dissent Channel message sparked essential discussions within the U.S. government, increasing scrutiny of decisions to dismantle USAID and halt foreign assistance. It prompted congressional inquiries and strengthened the discourse on the importance of U.S. leadership in global development and diplomacy. Eric Burkett, who served as attaché at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv when the dissent was sent, said, “It makes me feel proud to have stood against the tide, no matter how fruitless it appears to have been, to stand up for my FS colleagues’ careers, their honorable service, and against the destructive way with which USAID was dismantled.” A member of the Foreign Service since 2011, Burkett’s career has included assignments in Washington, D.C. (twice), Fort Lauderdale, Mexico City, Islamabad, Matamoros, Hermosillo, and Kyiv, with Porto Alegre next on his schedule. A former Coast Guard reservist, he joined the Foreign Service after realizing he wanted to continue serving the American people while experiencing the cultures of the world through federal service. Andrea Capellán, supervisory contracting and agreement officer at USAID/Mexico at the time of the dissent, reflected: “The whole group is incredibly humbled and grateful to receive this award because the cable’s existence was publicly denied by the Secretary of State. … Receiving the Rivkin Award is an extraordinary honor—one that affirms the value of speaking truth to power, especially when the stakes are high.” Capellán joined the Foreign Service in 2012 after serving in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, where she found her calling to a life of public service. Her USAID career has included assignments in Dakar, Lima, Washington, D.C., and Mexico City. “Receiving the 2025 William R. Rivkin Award is one of the most meaningful honors of my career,” said Andrea Cristancho, contracting and agreement officer at USAID/Mexico at the time the Dissent Channel message was sent. “It’s a profound recognition of the belief that principled dissent—when rooted in integrity, humility, and care—can be an act of commitment, not conflict.” Cristancho, an international development professional with more than a decade of experience in program management and procurement strategy, has served as vice president of the Hispanic Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies and is an alumna of the International Career Advancement Program. Jessica Carlson, who was deputy director of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance at USAID/Ukraine, has more than 14 years of experience managing federal funds and modernizing agency systems. “Doing the right thing, the just thing, is not easy,” she said. “Risk-taking, together with an incredible group of courageous FSOs, is worth the possible repercussions of speaking out. Transparency is fundamental to democracy.” Carlson recently returned from a 16-month unaccompanied tour in Kyiv, where she supported Ukraine’s wartime operations and efforts to build long-term resilience. Abtin Forghani, who was at FSI preparing for his onward assignment as deputy director of the Office of Assistance and AWARDS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA Winners of the 2025 William R. Rivkin Award for constructive dissent by a mid-level Foreign Service officer at the October 1, 2025, AFSA Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. From left: Meghan Waters; Andrea Cristancho; Abtin Forghani; Ambassador William H. Rivkin, who presented the awards; Jessica Carlson; Heather Wirick; R. Clark Pearson; Joshua Schramm; and Sam Kaegel. Eric Burkett and Andrea Capellán were unable to attend.
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