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From the time he was a child, Texas-raised Greg Williams ’93 would spend two weeks each summer at SAIS, at the Summer Symposium on Foreign Policy that his dad, Shelton Williams, PhD ’71, launched in 1981.
“I started coming when I was too young to attend any of the sessions. Then, I monitored the sessions. Then I was a participant. Then I was an instructor. Now I am on the board,” says Greg, who notes that those early experiences at SAIS were formative. “I think I had chosen SAIS for graduate school before I had chosen my college,” he says, chuckling.
The summer symposium is just one program of the Osgood Center for International Studies, which Shelton Williams founded in 2006, around the time he left the political science faculty of Austin College in Texas. The program offers short-term foreign policy programs, internships, and experiential learning to students at all stages—from high school through college and graduate school. Originally hosted at SAIS, the nonprofit educational center is now housed at 1629 K St. NW.
“The programs and seminars I run at the Osgood Center are designed to help prepare students for professional schools of international studies, and we have students coming throughout the year from all over the world,” says Shelton. “We’ve sent students on to all the big international affairs schools, and I am particularly proud that we’ve sent a number of students to SAIS,” he adds.
The Osgood Center is named for strategic studies expert Robert E. Osgood, who had been Shelton’s PhD mentor and is widely credited with developing the “SAIS approach”. “As a teacher, I was so inspired by Robert Osgood,” says Shelton, who served as dean of social sciences and director of the Posey Leadership Institute at Austin College before joining the faculty of Norwich University in 2007.
An expert in nuclear proliferation, Shelton also did four stints in government service throughout his career, including one as a policy analyst for the Carter administration and another for the Clinton administration, when he worked closely with Madeleine Albright at the United Nations.
While son Greg followed in his father’s footsteps to SAIS, he chose the field of law in which to make his mark.
“I am primarily a commercial litigator focusing on international litigation and arbitration matters,” says Greg, a lawyer with Wiley Rein in Washington, D.C. “My SAIS background has really helped inform the substance of what I do.”
In one recent big case, for example, he successfully represented defense contractor BAE, which had been sued by the Republic of Korea’s government for alleged “bad acts.” Essentially, the South Koreans were unhappy with BAE’s pricing for upgrading South Korea’s aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Greg filed a lawsuit in U.S. court, arguing that under the United States’ existing national security program, such pricing is set by the U.S. government, not the contractor. Thus, South Korea’s dispute was misplaced: BAE should not be held responsible.
As the case was playing out, President Trump was working to improve relations with South Korea. The Department of Justice “submitted an amicus brief arguing that I was wrong on the national security issue,” says Greg. “Some 99 percent of the time, the courts will defer to the executive branch on matters of national security, like this one.” But not this time. “Ultimately, the court disregarded the amicus brief,” he says. “It was a pretty good day.”
While it’s not unusual for Greg Williams to put in long days at Wiley Rein, he says he couldn’t be happier. “My work is an interesting blend of litigation, which I love to do, and issues of foreign policy and national security, which I learned so much about at SAIS,” he says.
These days, his dad remains active with the Osgood Center—“We were recently picked as best in Washington, D.C., for education and training,” Shelton says proudly—and is also a published fiction writer on crime and society, with three published books under his belt and one nearing completion.
Shelton Williams’ fealty to SAIS remains strong, as evidenced by his email address: saistype@aol.com.
“A ‘SAIS type’ is someone who has studied international economics and diplomatic history, with a firm grounding in U.S. national security,” he says. “Today more than ever, I think it’s critically important to have a ‘SAIS type’ of education.”
— Sue DePasquale
“I grew up with a dad who was very different from other dads,” says Maryam Montague ’91, in a telephone interview from her home in Morocco.
After spending the first 10 years of her life in the Middle East and Egypt, her family settled back in the United States. “While other dads would head off to work in their suits, my dad would get on a plane and be gone for weeks at a time. When he came back, he brought his journeys home with him, sharing his ideas about rural development and what Americans could do to promote it. I grew up fascinated by the concept that the world is this big, amazing place that you can easily access.”
Now 86, Joel Montague ’60 has spent much of his life working in community development and public health in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. His efforts have included everything from helping to build roads and schools in Iran, to working on primary care for the Aga Khan Health Services in five countries, to collaborating on the initiation of birth spacing and malaria control programs in Cambodia. He has been twice decorated in foreign countries (Iran and Tunisia).
“In the case of both decorations, it was a complete surprise,” he says. “I was just another expat doing his job, but I was lucky enough to wind up working on projects that were novel and useful.”
About two decades ago, Joel Montague helped found Partners for Development, an international nongovernment organization that partners with community organizations abroad to improve the lot of the less fortunate in difficult places. Having served for years on the board of directors and as board chairman, he now works on the organization’s advisory board and continues his travels—most recently to Cambodia as a volunteer to work at the field level in malaria prevention and control. He’s also doing research (some published in books) on the country’s colonial history.
Joel is proud of his family: wife, Shahnaz, who maintains her practice as a physician; son, Jahan, also a physician; and daughter, Maryam, whose 25-year career in international development has included humanitarian aid work for the National Democratic Institute, where she trained women to run for public office and focused on prisoners’ rights issues.
These days, Maryam Montague is largely focused on advancing the work of Project Soar, a nonprofit organization she launched in 2013 that empowers teen girls in the poor, semirural areas of Morocco, where many girls drop out of school when they hit puberty to get married and raise a family.
“The mission of Project Soar is to train girls to be feminist leaders of today and tomorrow,” explains Maryam. Participants complete a 50-hour girl-centered leadership curriculum that Project Soar developed—all for free, provided they pledge to stay in school.
“Unlike the multimillion-dollar programs I directed over the years, Project Soar literally started ‘in my backyard,’ around my dining room table. I got to know the girls and their stories intimately. That’s very rewarding,” says Maryam. A self-described “social entrepreneur,” she helps fund the program from the boutique hotel, Peacock Pavilions, that she and her husband constructed on an olive grove in Douar Laadam, near Marrakech.
Funding also comes from donors, with a give-back from a new fashion line that Maryam recently created. Dubbed Agent Girlpower, it includes athleisure wear and jewelry inscribed with feminist messages in English and Arabic.
While Project Soar started with families who live in Maryam’s village (where 73 percent of Project Soar girls now pass an exam required to move on to high school, compared to the average passing rate of 44 percent for girls in the Marrakech region), it’s rapidly expanding. Project Soar is now in 30 sites throughout Morocco, empowering more than 900 girls with the help of 70-plus trained empowerment facilitators.
Maryam has a 10-country plan to empower girls in the Middle East and Africa. Her motivation is pragmatic. As she told The New York Times in August 2018, “No country can get ahead if it leaves 50 percent of its population behind. The future must be powered by strong women.”
Her 17-year-old daughter “is a Project Soar girl and very much a feminist herself,” says Maryam, noting that Skylar Montague is now enrolled in the African Leadership Academy, “which is training Africa’s next generation of ethical leaders.”
Looking back at her own educational path, Maryam says she will remain forever grateful to her dad for introducing her to SAIS.
“He always spoke so glowingly of his time at SAIS, and I really wanted to be a part of that,” she says. “The economic underpinning I got from SAIS is something I continue to use all the time, and my SAIS education has provided me an important foundation for operating in today’s world.”
— Sue DePasquale
Our amazing Johns Hopkins SAIS community comprises alumni, friends, and students who create links with each other, with the school, and with the broader Johns Hopkins universe. On nearly all continents, alumni guide activities and drive events while working in partnership with alumni relations.
Exclusive Tour of Great and Good Friends Exhibition
Alex Bellah ’13 and Joey Tulyanond ’02 hosted an exclusive tour of the Great and Good Friends exhibition in the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in Bangkok. Afterward, the group enjoyed an afternoon drink and meal at Eat Sight Story.
Johns Hopkins SAIS FORESIGHT 2018
The Johns Hopkins SAIS Foresight and Regional Strategies Series Inaugural Forum took place at Asia Society Hong Kong Center. It focused on “Digital Challenges to the International System,” with keynote speaker Francis Gavin, who is the Johns Hopkins SAIS director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs and Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor. Additional speakers included James Rickards JHU ’73, ’74, JHU ’06, and Thomas Rid, professor of strategic studies. Anne LeBourgeois ’80 and Charles Chang ’96 were on hand to greet guests.
2018 APAC Leadership Summit
Alumni representing nine cities in Asia gathered for the third Alumni Leadership Summit in Hong Kong, where they heard school updates from Dean Vali Nasr; learned about ways they can help with recruitment from Sidney Jackson, assistant dean for global enrollment and recruitment; and connected with one another on alumni best practices for the region.
Jakarta: Farewell and Welcome Lunch with SAIS Europe Director Michael Plummer
Michael Plummer B’82, SAIS Europe director, joined alumni in Jakarta for dinner at Plataran Menteng.
Manila: Sunday Brunch
Edi Sian ’04 was there to greet fellow SAISers in Manila, who gathered for Sunday brunch at Wild Flour Restaurant at Rockwell.
75th—Singapore: Cocktails and Conversation with Professor Roger Leeds
Roger Leeds ’70, PhD ’77, director of the Center for International Business and Public Policy, led a discussion on “Is Singapore Competitive as a Full-Fledged International Financial Center?” with alumni in Singapore. Ai Ghee Ong N’07, ’09, and Arti Sriv B’16, ’17, were on hand to greet guests.
Panel Discussion on “Japan in a Changing World”
Dean Vali Nasr welcomed Tokyo alumni with remarks at the International House of Japan prior to a panel discussion on “Japan in a Changing World.” The talk featured Kent Calder, director of Asia programs and the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies; John Lipsky, Peter G. Peterson Distinguished Scholar at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs; Francis Gavin, Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs; Hiroshi Nakaso, former deputy governor and deputy chairman at Bank of Japan; and Izumi Devalier SAIS’11, head of Japan economics at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Panama City Happy Hour
Beatriz de Anta de Benito ’16 got together with Fernando Ventura ’17 for a Panama City alumni happy hour at Taberna la Malagueña.
Barcelona: 75th Anniversary of Johns Hopkins SAIS Happy Hour
Alumni in Barcelona celebrated the 75th anniversary of Johns Hopkins SAIS with a happy hour at Tapeo Gracia amb Daniel Rueda.
Annual Alumni Event in Berlin
Alumni in Berlin enjoyed the annual reunion of the JHU SAIS Europe Alumni Association Germany at the Savoy Hotel. The weekend of activities included dinner, a sightseeing tour, reception, and dinner with Raffaella Del Sarto, associate professor of Middle East Studies at SAIS Europe.
Dinner Conversation in Brussels with SAIS Europe Director Michael Plummer B’82
In celebration of the 75th anniversary, Michael Plummer B’82, SAIS Europe director, joined Brussels alumni for a dinner conversation on “Changes in the Multilateral Trading System: Challenges for Europe” at Strofilia Restaurant.
I Bolognesi a Londra 2018
The ninth edition of I Bolognesi a Londra event was welcomed again at the Austrian Embassy in London. Dean Vali Nasr moderated a conversation on “Migration–Human and Legal Issues,” featuring Nina Hall, assistant professor of International Relations, and Justin Fronsini, adjunct professor of constitutional law. A lively dinner followed the discussion.
Luxembourg: Dinner and Conversation with Professor Filippo Taddei
Alumni in Luxembourg enjoyed dinner with Filippo Taddei, associate professor of International Economics and director of the Master of Arts in Global Risk, at Brasserie Mansfeld.
Chicago Alumni Picnic
Jennifer Lind B’91, ’92, and Neil Bouhan B’10, ’10, gathered Chicago alumni and their families for a summer picnic and fun at Gillson Park.
Mexico City 75th: Gathering with New LASP Director Monica de Bolle
Alumni in Mexico City welcomed Monica de Bolle, Riordan Roett Chair in Latin American Studies and director of the Emerging Markets Specialization, for an evening of live jazz music and engaging conversation at La Xampañeria. Antonio Pineda B’98, ’99, greeted guests.
New York City: Amici di Bologna
Amici di Bologna 2018 returned to New York City for the 11th Annual Symposium and Celebration at the UN Delegates Dining Room. The evening featured distinguished Johns Hopkins SAIS faculty, policy practitioners, and representatives from the private sector for an academic symposium, reception, and dinner overlooking the East River, as well as an after-party.
75th–The Future of Finance
The SAIS NY Alumni Club and the Carey Business School Alumni Club hosted a lively conversation at R3 on “The Future of Finance–The Implications of Blockchain and How to Join the Emerging Tech Revolution.” The panel discussion featured: Alisa DiCaprio ’99, head of global trade strategy and research for R3; Jed Talvacchia ’13, director of corporate development for R3; Katherine Pinkard, JHU Carey ’14, president, Pinkard Properties; and Jim Kyung-Soo Liew, assistant professor of finance at Carey Business School.
Ottawa: Dinner with Dean Vali Nasr
Gorav Chaudhry ’12 and Ottawa alumni welcomed Dean Vali Nasr for dinner at Play Food and Wine, where they discussed “U.S.-Iran Relations After the Nuclear Deal.”
SF Italian Dinner
San Francisco alumni enjoyed an Italian dinner at Ideale Restaurant, hosted by Sibyl Chen B’03, ’04.
DC: SWAN Networking Skills Workshop
The SAIS Women’s Alumni Network (SWAN) hosted a networking skills workshop and panel discussion at SAIS. The panel featured Jeanne Balcom ’86, Krystle Veda Kaul ’09, Joanna Pineda ’91, and Carmen Suro-Bredie B’72, ’72. Following the panel, Marshall Millsap B’75, ’76, and Dara Iserson B’08, ’09, led the interactive workshop on “Building Your Network.”
Reunion Weekend 2018
The Classes of 1968, 1993, and 2008 returned to Washington, D.C., in October for Reunion Weekend 2018. The weekend included happy hour with current students, a brunch, several panel discussions with some favorite professors, a reception at SAIS, and individual class evening celebrations.
DC: SWAN Evening with Women Leaders
SWAN held its fourth annual Evening with SAIS Women Leaders, featuring prominent SAIS women speaking on today’s foreign policy challenges. This year’s panel, moderated by Michele Kelemen ’93, focused on the Asia-Pacific region and included panelists Susan Thornton ’91; Bonnie S. Glaser ’82; Orit Frenkel ’84, PhD ’88; and Katrina Cooper, deputy head of mission at the Australian Embassy in Washington. This evening of networking and discussion was held at the Australian Embassy.
Santiago.If I were going to summarize Kathryn’s life in one word, that would be it. The only child of her parents, Carol and Tony, she was one of those kids who always seems to wind up being club president. Hardworking and whip smart, she was an outstanding student who clearly enjoyed her university experience at Stanford. But Santiago is what changed her. She spent time during junior year in Chile. She loved the new culture. She loved speaking Spanish and living with a family. Most of all, she loved the adventure. Kathryn was a success by all the conventional standards, but deep down inside, she was most passionate about exploring the unconventional opportunities that life has to offer.
When she left college, Kathryn followed many of her Stanford classmates into the technology world. It was the late 1990s. The tech boom was in full swing. Her job was to recruit the best and the brightest from America’s top universities to create the next “unicorn.”
Kathryn left the tech world behind to go to SAIS instead. Again, she chose adventure. Bologna was the new Santiago. She threw herself into it. She met Marco and joined a new family.
When Kathryn graduated from SAIS, she came back to Bologna to settle. The challenge was combining her talents, her interests, and her determination to find a work-life balance. Most of us cannot imagine squeezing in so much life before and after such a long workday. Along the way, she carved out a career that combined support for a major international cancer research foundation, the Istituto Ramazzini, and business development for BolognaFiere.
She came back to SAIS in 2011 as director of public affairs and assistant director of the European Studies Program. The next seven years were a whirlwind of activity. Kathryn had a knack for taking charge of complex situations and making them work out smoothly. At times, this ruffled feathers, but she never shied away, and she was fiercely protective. The students loved her for it.
Although Kathryn enjoyed many aspects of SAIS, her favorite was counseling students on their courses, helping them find internships, taking them on trips, and guiding them toward unconventional choices. She wanted everyone to have their own Santiago moment, where they could appreciate the difference between “success” and adventure.
The challenge, Kathryn insisted, was to strike the right balance among success and adventure, work, and life. During her time at SAIS, she and Marco had their son, Jackson, and she continued to deepen and expand her circle of friendships on both sides of the Atlantic. In short, Kathryn lived her own advice.
— Erik Jones
On the Shoulders of Giants
During this 75th anniversary year, we celebrate the seminal contributions of early SAIS greats. Their intellectual DNA continues to run deep in their contemporary counterparts—who have grabbed the baton to move their fields forward further still.
Portals to Connection
Amar Bakshi ’13 has created a model for civic discourse in a global climate in which walls, not bridges, drive political rhetoric.
Why Is the World So Chaotic?
In this “post-post-Cold War era,” there’s been a gradual but unmistakable erosion of U.S. and Western primacy.
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