Policy Leaders Forum: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard (CAS ’84)
On April 6, 2022, the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University hosted United States Ambassador to Nigeria and BU alumna Mary Beth Leonard (CAS ’84) for a Policy Leaders Forum on U.S. diplomacy in Nigeria. This event was co-hosted by Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School, and the African Studies Center (ASC), an affiliated center of the Pardee School.
Ambassador Leonard remarked on U.S.-Nigeria relations, highlighting the impact current events are having on this relationship, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
The event was attended by faculty, students from across BU, and invited guests. There was a question and comment period as well as a lively discussion with the audience following Ambassador Leonard’s remarks. At the conclusion of the event, Michael Woldemariam, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Pardee School and ASC Director, presented Ambassador Leonard with a memento in honor of her visit.
The Pardee School’s Policy Leaders Forum series brings senior international policymakers to BU for conversations with faculty, students, and guests. Previous speakers in the series have included Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield (Pardee ’87), President of the United States Naval War College; Senator Daniel Coats, the United States Director for National Intelligence; Dr. Rukakana Rugunda, Prime Minister of Uganda; Steve Beshear, the former Governor of Kentucky; Dr. Woo Yoon-keun, Secretary-General on the National Assembly of South Korea; and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).