AFSA NEWS 68 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL From left: Nora S. Brito, Delegate Paul E. Krizek, Vivian S. Walker, AFSA President John Dinkelman, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Jiana Leonard, and Mina Raas-Dana. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R-Fredericksburg) and Delegate Paul E. Krizek (D-Alexandria) for their bipartisan work in the Virginia General Assembly supporting Foreign Service families. Durant’s education-focused legislation ensures continuity for children returning from overseas assignments, while Krizek’s long-standing advocacy has strengthened tuition access for FS famiy members and financial parity for FS retirees. AFSA’s performance awards celebrated outstanding contributions at post and within the association. The Nelson B. Delavan Award, presented by Mark Delavan Harrop, honored Mina RaasDana of Embassy Tokyo for her exceptional service as an office management specialist (OMS) and her role in strengthening U.S.-Japan cooperation through leadership of high-level visits and morale initiatives. The M. Juanita Guess Award for an outstanding community liaison office coordinator, presented by Jon Clements, went to Jiana Leonard of Embassy Dhaka, whose steady leadership during internet blackouts, political unrest, and evacuation kept her community informed, connected, and resilient. President Dinkelman presented Vivian S. Walker with the Award for Achievement and Contributions to the Association in recognition of her six years of leadership on the Editorial Board of The Foreign Service Journal. As board chair from 2023 to 2025, Walker, a retired Senior Foreign Service officer and now co-president of the Public Diplomacy Council of America, helped strengthen AFSA’s capacity to document and defend the profession of diplomacy. A special Group AFSA Exemplary Performance Award was presented by AFSA Treasurer John K. Naland, to Jahari Fraser, Nikki Gamer, Christine Miele, Erin Oliver, Sharon Papp, Nadja Ruzica, Raeka Safai, and Kim Sullivan, AFSA’s “Crisis Response Team” worked tirelessly throughout 2025, responding to a surge of crises facing the Foreign Service community and defending AFSA’s mission through communication, advocacy, member outreach, and legal action. The Avis Bohlen Award for a Foreign Service family member was presented by Ambassador Avis Bohlen to Jane Krill Thompson, whose volunteer work in Nepal created opportunities for children with special needs and migrant backgrounds. Her initiatives, including the creation of a school library through a J. Kirby Simon Trust grant, continue to strengthen ties between U.S. Embassy Kathmandu and the local community. The Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy, presented by Shiraz Mahyera, recognized Nora S. Brito, whose leadership in Kyiv between 2023 and 2024 advanced governance reforms and anti-corruption measures critical to Ukraine’s democratic resilience. Her work establishing Ukraine’s first Victim Witness Coordination Center and supporting anticorruption prosecutions has left a lasting imprint on the rule of law in Ukraine. The Christian A. Herter Award, presented by President Dinkelman, went to Carrie Muntean, who, after 25 years in the Foreign Service, led a working group to reform leadership culture and improve accountability Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield receives the 2025 Lifetime Contribution to American Diplomacy Award. From left: AFSA President John Dinkelman, Dean of the Walsh School of Foreign Service Joel Hellman, Thomas-Greenfield, and Ambassador Barbara Bodine. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA Awards Continued from page 61
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