44 DECEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy Paul Estrada Strengthening Democracy Amid Russia’s War Against Ukraine Foreign Service Officer Paul Estrada was given the Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy in 2024 in recognition of his bold, creative, and effective leadership on the Ukraine desk as the country defended its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Assigned to the Ukraine desk from 2022 to 2024, through his work, he helped significantly strengthen Ukraine’s democracy in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Estrada’s strategic work across various offices within the State Department, in collaboration with U.S. Embassy Kyiv and interagency partners, was pivotal in directing $22.9 billion in U.S. direct budget support to Ukraine. His focus on leveraging this substantial aid to help Ukraine win the war and, as he told the FSJ, to “win the future” through advancing anti-corruption and other essential reforms showcases his commitment to democratic governance. As the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs’ lead action officer for recovery and reforms in Ukraine, Estrada was instrumental in developing guidelines for U.S. budget support for Ukraine in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Crafting meticulous démarches for delivery to the highest levels of the Ukrainian government, Estrada articulated the U.S. rationale, held firm on positions, and ensured that expectations and decision-making metrics were clear. His leadership during discussions between Embassy Kyiv, the National Security Council, and senior leadership at the State and Treasury Departments guaranteed maximum effectiveness for the U.S. government’s investment. One of Estrada’s most notable achievements was consolidating reforms the U.S. government sought from Ukraine, encompassing fiscal, anti-corruption, defense, and judicial reforms. This was a Herculean task, requiring extensive coordination and development of consensus among diverse interagency views. His tireless stewardship resulted in an enduring tool that aligns messaging by senior officials with Ukrainian interlocutors and influences other donors’ plans. The secret to Estrada’s effectiveness lies in the credibility and trust he built across all corners of the department and among interagency partners. His ability to persuade others—including Ukrainian officials—to prioritize long-term democratic reform set him apart from his peers. His efforts supercharged U.S. government advocacy for strengthening the independence, capacity, and effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, ensuring a unified voice among U.S. officials working on Ukraine. Ukraine remains at war, defending its sovereignty and striving to shed the remnants of its Soviet past. Estrada’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in helping Ukraine move more swiftly toward its Western aspirations, backed by the full support of the U.S. government. His work exemplifies the influence that dedicated and strategic action can have on promoting and preserving democratic governance in the face of adversity. Estrada holds a BS in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He spent six years in the U.S. Air Force before joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. He has previously served as the deputy political, economic, and consular chief in Bandar Seri Begawan and as a consular officer at the American Institute in Taiwan. Since June 2024, he has been economic and commercial officer in Ljubljana. U.S. EMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN Paul Estrada Paul Estrada (far right) visiting a hydrogen demonstration plant in Brunei with the late Ambassador Matt Matthews (second from right).
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