By Diego Reyes Orantes
July 24, 2018
My fellow Fellows,
As I approach the end of my fellowship it is my turn to thank you all as we have elected new leadership for the Fellow Executive Committee. Effective September 1st, 2018, Huma Imdad Atlas Corps Fellow C30 from Pakistan will become the Chair of the fellow ExComm alongside Nilima Raut Atlas Corps fellow C30 from Nepal as Secretary. The fellow committees have worked very hard this past year to bring the fellow-led governing body to where it is today, and found in Huma and Nilima an unshaken commitment and pro activity towards the community, all of which are core qualities needed in every global leader. I feel confident this dynamic duo will help sustain the work and nurture the future process of co-creation on the fellow agenda.
Looking back on this year, the advancement of the fellow agenda has been fruitful and uneven; there has been great success and there is still unfinished business. However, I can tell you that throughout the year, I have found great support in AC leadership & staff, fellow governing bodies, and fellows to make things happen and go the extra mile. There is a true momentum going on and a testament to that, was a small yet so significant victory, the implementation of our current phone plans for fellows.
On a personal note, I have been overwhelmed with gratefulness for the great opportunity of representing your interests and leading efforts to push a fellow agenda. Whether we did not see eye-to-eye on various topics, if we had heated arguments, or if we celebrated accomplishments, I can honestly tell you that every day I learned from you. You made me acknowledge my flaws when you had to and highlighted my strengths, making me a better- equipped and more robust leader.
To the fellow community at large, I wish to express that through your work and unbreakable human values you taught me about being courageous and resilient in the face of adversity, about being compassionate when confronted with hatred, and about the small steps it takes to build community with few resources while far away from home.
Unknowingly, you gave me the best gift of all, you made me a better man.
I will be forever grateful to you.
Thank you very much, Everybody!
Diego
