President Leonel Fernández Receives Global Leadership Award from Counterpart International

Dominican President and Honorary President of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), Leonel Fernández, received a Global Leadership Award in recognition of his leadership, political goodwill and work benefiting disadvantaged populations in the Dominican Republic and abroad.

At a gala event on September 19th at New York restaurant Gustavino’s, President Fernández was presented the award by Counterpart International President and CEO, Lelei LeLaulu, who praised the President for his legacy of work furthering democracy and sustainable development, both as Chief of State and as Founder and Honorary President of GFDD and FUNGLODE.

 

Upon accepting the award, President Fernández spoke of the Dominican Republic’s integration within the global economy, development and modernization initiatives that have been realized, as well as the fundamental role of democracy in processes of national advancement.

 

Other prominent figures recognized during the event include: David Finn, Founder and Chairman of Ruder Finn; Michael J. Conway, President and CEO of Air Jamaica; Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Saint Lucia; and Paxton Baker, Vice President and General Manager of BET J and BET Digital Networks and President of BET Event Production.

 

First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández; Secretary of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, Salvador Chío Jiménez; Secretary of State of the Dominican Republic, Eduardo Selmán; and GFDD Executive Director and FUNGLODE Vice President, Natasha Despotovic, were also present at the event.

the auction that took place following the awards ceremony: paintings by Dominican Painter, Fernando Ureña Rib, a special edition of Arturo Fuente Opus Cigars, an amber jewelry set from Taller Amborígena, a week for two at Hotel Villa Serena in Samaná, Dominican Republic, and a baseball bat signed by baseball player Sammy Sosa.

 

Counterpart International, established in 1965, provides social, economic and environmental development support to people throughout the developing world.

 

GFDD Executive Director and FUNGLODE Vice-President, Natasha Despotovic, is a Counterpart International Board Member. GFDD, FUNGLODE and Counterpart International implement collaborative environmental and community development projects in the Dominican Republic.

 

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