The Foreign Service Journal, September 2016

74 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSAAward Runners-Up THE AV I S BOHLEN AWARD RUNNER - UP AMY CLUTTER Amy Clutter has twice been elected president of the North American Women’s Associa- tion, an all-volunteer organiza- tion based in Accra, Ghana, and serving 400 people from 50 countries. When Ms. Clutter took over in 2014, membership in NAWA was stagnant. She recruited a new board, formalized responsibilities and developed a strategy for the organization’s future. NAWA has participated in dozens of grass-roots projects, including constructing an information technology wing in a secondary school, providing latrines for elementary schools, digging wells in two rural villages and purchasing sewing machines for women across Ghana. Ms. Clutter helped NAWA raise an unprecedented $25,000 for humanitarian projects—all of which enhance U.S. rela- tions with Ghanaian communities. She continues to generate inspiring new fundraising ideas, such as the international NAWA cookbook and the NAWA craft fair, and is the “go-to” person for countless individuals in the diplomatic community in Ghana. M. JUANITA GUESS AWARD RUNNER-UP BERNA KEEN Berna Keen is recognized as an exemplary CLO by her colleagues at U.S. Embassy Dhaka for her conscientious approach to every member of the mission, ensuring that Dhaka remained a family post during a challenging time. In 2015, a rash of violent political demonstrations crippled embassy operations. Ms. Keen was a victim of this violence when a vehicle in which she was riding was hit by an explosive device. Incredibly, this only strengthened her commitment to her work. A key voice on the Emergency Action Committee, Ms. Keen facilitated creation of an EFM email list, subsequently added to the Global Address List, ensuring that everyone in the mis- sion received security messages simultaneously. When a series of terrorist murders changed life at the embassy dramatically, personnel were restricted to a two- square-mile area and had a 10 p.m. curfew. With outside entertainment unavailable, Ms. Keen planned a staggering number of events—nearly 90 in 150 days—despite the fact that her office was understaffed. From wine and cheese parties to pet playdates, and from antique markets to discos in the atrium, she successfully brought the community together during a difficult time. MARK PALMER AWARD RUNNER - UP STEVEN HENDRIX During 25 years with USAID Steven Hendrix has served as democracy team leader in Nicaragua, justice program manager in Guatemala and director for national capacity development for Iraq, among many assignments in which he achieved concrete goals advancing democracy. In Peru, his recommendations led to undercutting local guerillas’ coca production; in Bolivia, he helped provide legal employment opportunities for poor Bolivians in the coca- growing regions. In El Salvador, he helped former combatants transition to peacetime employment and secured compensa- tion for victims of the conflict. In Guatemala, Mr. Hendrix led a program to train justices of the peace for 188 unserved communities, facilitating creation of the Public Defense Institute and improving legal services for poor Guatemalans. His approach became a model for pro- grams in El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia and Panama. In 2005, Mr. Hendrix directed the first comprehensive national electoral observation in Nicaragua and facilitated the approval of new criminal procedures codes. In Iraq, he stood up 18 national ministries and oversaw programs to modernize public procurement and expenditure. As his colleagues attest, Mr. Hendrix’s career has been one of dedication to the advancement of democracy, freedom and governance. He is currently deputy director for USAID in Ghana. n AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA COURTESYOFBERNAKEEN COURTESYOFSTEVENHENDRIX AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS