This fall the Foundation reached an exciting milestone of our CAMCA Fellowship Program as we hosted our 25th cohort of Fellows in Washington, D.C! With the addition of the recent Fall 2022 Fellows (learn more about the entire group here), we have been delighted to support over 250 Fellows since the program’s establishment in 2008. To commemorate these milestones and the program’s development, we asked a few representatives from our Fall session to share some impressions from their time as Fellows and to reflect on the impact of their experience. As one Fellow noted, “Now fourteen years since this program began, it is apparent how great of a visionary Donald Rumsfeld was. I feel a deep sense of appreciation and admiration for his aspirations and strategic mindset for tomorrow’s leaders of Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan.” We hope you enjoy hearing firsthand from our newest CAMCA Fellows.
Below we are delighted to include some thoughtful insights from three talented Fall 2022 Fellows, representing east to west across the CAMCA region: Ms. Gereltuya Orgil from Mongolia – Founder and CEO of EMPR, a management agency delivering strategic communications services and brand PR campaigns to local and international clients; Mr. Fayoz Rizvonov from Tajikistan, Founder and CEO of Trigma.AI, a tech start-up innovating an AI driven commercial optimization platform; and Dr. Grigor Vardanyan from Armenia – Co-founder and Deputy CEO of Green Food LLC, a strawberry farming and trading company.
1. What surprised you the most about the program?
“The program has changed my perception of U.S. foreign policies. Our meetings with a vast network of policy and decision makers, including senior government officials and think tank experts, helped me discern the foremost perspectives behind U.S. foreign policies.
The program also focused on critical conversations regarding U.S.-CAMCA relations. The honest assessments and intelligence provided on the world order and regional geopolitics from program speakers were exceptional. I truly appreciated that the program offered representatives of our countries the chance to have open dialogues and exchange information and views that many countries would treat as ‘classified’.” - Gerel
“The CAMCA Fellowship Program really exceeded my expectations when it came to the depth of topics covered and the caliber of Fellows with which I had the pleasure of sharing this incredible experience. I was particularly surprised by the depth of the program’s network of speakers and partners. It was good to see that there are lots of partnerships across local industries and experts.” - Fayoz
“I was amazed by the wealth and depth of knowledge of so many of the professionals we met, and the same goes for that of my colleagues participating in the program, who shared their own rich expertise and insights with the group.” - Grigor
2. What are three words that best describe your Fellowship experience?
“A golden ticket to Washington. A fire-cracking experience.” - Gerel
“Diversity, uniting, thought-provoking” - Fayoz
“Eye-opening, life changing, empowering” - Grigor
3. What was one of your favorite experiences, memories or meetings?
“The program offered an unparalleled experience in getting to know other regional professionals and to learn from their personal experiences. Above all else, it gave me a rare opportunity to meet some of the most legendary business executives, lobbyists, and storybook PR professionals who have made their mark within the U.S. and to a certain extent, the world.” - Gerel
“My favorite meeting was with Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr. who shared his insights on the healthcare industry and innovation (my current field). I also particularly enjoyed the dinner at Dr. Frederick Starr’s home and the lively discussion there on the shared history and shared future of our region.
Overall, my participation in the program has been the most memorable time in my life, both in terms of experience, learning and knowledge sharing. The exposure to world-class politicians, business leaders and my Fellow-friends has sharpened my intellect and spirit of collaboration, helping me to think beyond certain boundaries that had been limiting my perception of how global politics and business work.” - Fayoz
“One of my favorite experiences was the dinner we attended hosted by a wonderful American family in Detroit, which gave me the real feeling for and taste of American culture. Above all though, my best memories are from the time spent with my Fellow friends throughout the program.”- Grigor
4. What did you enjoy most about traveling outside of Washington, D.C. during your time in Detroit and Chicago?
“Meeting people with great aspirations and unwavering commitment to their community in Detroit was so motivating and moving. It not only boosted my own feelings of self-determination and tenacity, but our visit there has also inspired me to engage in regional development policies back home in Mongolia.” - Gerel
“I really enjoyed visiting the awe-inspiring Ford Museum and Rouge Factory in Detroit and the lovely Global Ties Detroit Annual Gala that we were able to attend alongside many globally-minded impressive professionals from the area.” - Fayoz
“Apart from the dinner hosted by an American family mentioned above, I really enjoyed the chance to hear insights from two seasoned members of the U.S. Congress representing Michigan, Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton, as they spoke on civility at a public conference at Oakland University.” - Grigor
5. What are some of the top lessons learned that you have brought back home with you?
“I learned ways to effectively engage with the U.S. Congress, government institutions and policymakers and the knowledge and connections gained during the program will help me participate in driving my country’s national agenda forward to become an unwavering ally of the U.S." - Gerel
“I have a better understanding of the complex political arena in the U.S. and how different frameworks and structure establishments could improve the uprooting of democracy and governance. I also have developed a few ideas on how to collaborate with my Fellow peers as an alumni and potential organizations that could be a helping hand in creating something new and impactful.” - Fayoz
“Being compassionate is more important than being strategic when it comes to changing the world around you. Conversation is not about competition, but instead about understanding each other's points of views. One should always use their inner morals as their center of gravity. And lastly, the importance of networking with Fellows and friends for the benefit of our region.” - Grigor
6. What are you most looking forward to now that you are a member of the CAMCA Network?
“I am most keen on working with Mongolian tech companies to consider the CAMCA region as their first market of choice. I would like to engage with our network to promote the region's cultural exchanges, tourism, business and investment opportunities. Returning home, I am deeply inspired to step into a public leadership role and to work as a policy advocate supporting strong institutional governance, urban and regional development, and finally, U.S.-Mongolia relations.” - Gerel
“It was surreal to find myself among such a diverse group of leaders and in a prestigious program in D.C. that not only helps to nurture leaders but creates an environment where you feel part of a family. I look forward to being more engaged in the network in the coming years, including at next year’s CAMCA Regional Forum in Almaty, and further networking with the CAMCA members for the exchange of knowledge and partnership.” - Fayoz
“I firmly believe that all the Fellows of this network follow one of the most important of Rumsfeld’s Rules: ‘The world is run by those who show up.’ Following this rule means we must be the ones to do the hard work of stepping up to take risks and face challenges in order to be able to make positive changes across the globe. I look forward to following this Rumsfeld’s Rule as an active member of this wonderful network and to doing my best to contribute the value that we all need for the future.” - Grigor
The CAMCA Fellowship, organized jointly by the Rumsfeld Foundation and the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, aims to encourage intraregional cooperation among the program countries as well as to foster stronger relations between the U.S. and the CAMCA region, and serves as a starting point for continued collaboration among the innovative regional leaders that comprise its alumni network. Read more about the program here and view more photos from the Fall 2022 Fellowship Session here.