THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 37 internet and data connections, cutting off communication for millions, including embassy staff. With the city under lockdown and many newcomers still finding their footing, Leonard immediately reactivated and redesigned the residential warden system to function without internet access. She organized wardens to conduct daily check-ins by phone and in person, making sure every member of the mission community was accounted for. When families needed supplies or medication, she worked side by side with the regional medical officer and the Regional Security Office to deliver them personally. “Jiana understood the need for proactive, consistent, and frequent communication during a crisis,” wrote her nominator. “She didn’t wait for instructions. She identified the gaps, filled them, and kept everyone connected.” As conditions deteriorated, the embassy entered authorized and later ordered departure. Despite being one of those evacuated, Leonard worked up to the very moment of departure to ensure every colleague and family had a safe plan to return home. Even after arriving back in the United States, she continued to support the community remotely, maintaining morale through virtual events, checking on students’ distance learning with the American International School, and keeping communication channels open with those who remained in Dhaka. When ordered departure ended, Leonard played a pivotal role in rebuilding community cohesion. She organized welcome-back gatherings, family events, and cultural excursions, recognizing that many community members were anxious or disoriented after months away. The embassy community rediscovered a sense of stability and belonging through her careful planning. Understanding the link between morale and mission effectiveness, Leonard organized sector-by-sector shopping excursions and cultural trips that became lifelines for those living under strict movement restrictions. She ensured essential trips aligned with community needs: a shopping outing before the Marine Ball, a movie theater visit timed to a long-awaited release, and heritage tours that gave colleagues a glimpse of Dhaka’s rich history. “Frequently after an evacuation, it can take months or years for a community to come back together,” her nominator noted. “Thanks to Jiana’s leadership and empathy, Dhaka’s community remained strong.” U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s dedicated CLO team pauses for a festive moment with the jolliest visitor of the year in December 2024.
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