MPA Alumni as a Worldwide Force for Good
In March 2020, when Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced a countrywide lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, 2005 MPA graduate Ether Simoncini hunkered down at home with his wife and four young children. As they looked out their apartment windows, their normally bustling neighborhood in Verona seemed abandoned. Feeling alone and unsettled, the family did their best to stay positive by reading, singing, playing board games, and engaging in indoor sports.
Then, several days into the lockdown, something changed. One evening, someone in Simoncini’s neighborhood opened their windows and blasted the national anthem, followed by several minutes of upbeat music. It was a small act that gave hope to everyone within hearing distance—and it spread. Soon people across the country were opening their windows every evening at exactly 6 p.m. to share music, wave to neighbors, and chat with new friends.
Seeing the joy that accompanied these interactions got Simoncini thinking. What could he do to help people connect during this time of isolation? As field operations manager for the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was inspired to offer self-reliance courses online. He invited members of his stake to participate in a virtual Find a Better Job group; after receiving positive feedback, he enlisted friends to facilitate additional classes and circulated an online invitation to both Church members and their friends. Within a few weeks, more than 1,000 people from all over Italy were participating.
“It wasn’t easy at first,” recalls Simoncini. “Internet connection wasn’t always optimal, video- conference quality wasn’t as good as it is today, and some participants struggled with online learning. I had to be creative in solving related issues, but for the most part, people were happy to spend time connecting with others while learning useful concepts and acquiring new skills.”
Simoncini’s newfound knowledge became invaluable as other countries started their own lockdowns. “Some of the ideas and solutions I found while making my small contribution to ease the stress of the lockdown became tools and resources we use today for the whole Europe Area,” he says.
Like Simoncini, many MPA graduates from around the globe return to work in their home countries after finishing their studies. Though their roles and responsibilities vary, each is using the public administration skills and knowledge gained at the Romney Institute to make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens—creating a force for good that spans continents and cultures.
Aiding Refugees
After earning his MPA degree in 2004, Fernando Souza from Praia Grande, Brazil, spent 17 years working for the Church’s Welfare Services in Brazil, where he enjoyed helping people further their education, find new jobs, and start new businesses.
In addition to these assignments, Souza was tasked with finding ways to alleviate the suffering of Venezuelan refugees who were escaping political, social, and economic hardships in their country. Each day, hundreds of Venezuelans arrived in Brazil by bus, and scores of families crossed the border on foot after walking for several days.
The situation was overwhelming at first, remembers Souza. But working in partnership with the Brazilian government, the Catholic Church, the UN, and local officials, Souza’s team oversaw a project to turn an abandoned gymnasium into a shelter. They found companies to donate food and other necessities, and they organized the distribution of goods. Later, they located jobs for adults, organized schooling for children, and coordinated refugee resettlement to other parts of Brazil.
Advising Organizations to Benefit People
Within the socioeconomic context in Thailand, Kaneeworn (Pim) Opetagon of Bangkok continually f inds ways to apply her public administration skills. Since graduating in 2010, she has worked for Aon Solutions, a multinational professional services company. She currently leads the human capital advisory team in Thailand and reports that in addition to the technical knowledge she gained in her classes, “learning to work well in a team was the best training I received in the MPA program.”
In her daily work, Opetagon provides consulting services in organization management and human resources to private, public, and government entities. “My priority is helping organizations improve the well-being of their people, and it is the kind of impact that lasts a long time,” she says. “It’s fulfilling to help for-profit organizations set goals based on nonfinancial indicators as well so they can benefit their people and the communities around them.”
Communicating for Understanding
Beijing, China, resident and 2009 MPA graduate Songjie Li’s dream of helping to build his homeland recently came to fruition through his work for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics organizing committee. As victory ceremony manager at the Big Air Shougang venue, “my sole focus was to present smooth and successful victory ceremonies, not only for the athletes but for audiences around the world,” he says.
Li accomplished that in large measure by using communication and management skills, which he considers to be the most impor- tant tools in the workplace. “People often think in different ways, even when they are talking about the same things,” he states, “so knowing how to listen and understand their thinking is crucial in order to get things done.”
Li also believes that the best way to make a difference is to change yourself. “The key to a better future lies within each of us,” he says.
Mentoring Future Professionals
In Montevideo, Uruguay, 2017 alumnus Esteban J. Ventura works as a business developer and project manager for IDATHA, a company that specializes in artificial intelligence. For the past two years, IDATHA has sponsored an internship program to help high school students from low-opportunity backgrounds qualify for full-time IT positions when they graduate.
Ventura took on the role of internship coordinator and counselor for some of these students after they were assigned to work on a project he directed. Not only did Ventura help them find success in his project, he also sought out opportunities for them to gain additional IT skills by working with other groups.
“Though it sometimes adds stress and extra work for me, I love being there to help these students,” says Ventura. “My mission president taught me that wherever I was, I should always leave things better. While I went to BYU to learn and obtain my MPA, I came forth to serve—and leave things better because I am here.”
Creating a Safe Place
As senior executive assistant to the chief administrative officer of the town of Strathmore, Canada, 2017 alumna Erika Takahashi oversees a variety of projects. But one of her most meaningful assignments in this municipality of 14,000 has been helping to create a joint council— made up of city leaders and the local Siksika Nation chief and council—to address racism. “Many Siksika Nation members live, work, and go to school here,” reports Takahashi. “It is important that our town is a safe place for all. This is one of the first groups like this in the area, and it is exciting to be addressing real issues and contributing to positive change.”
On her own time, Takahashi serves as a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “I love keeping the magic of childhood alive with children who have been forced to grow up too fast and providing much-needed fun for their families who have also been impacted,” she says.
Supporting Education
MPA student Steve K. Mutombo isn’t waiting until he graduates to make a difference. Before coming to BYU Marriott, Mutombo participated in BYU–Pathway Worldwide in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he quickly noticed how difficult it was for his peers to complete their assignments because they didn’t have access to adequate computers. With the help of donors and friends, Mutombo started The Lord’s Hands, an NGO that obtains refurbished computers and distributes those computers to Pathway students through a needs-based application process. Since its organization in 2021, The Lord’s Hands has provided computers to 330 students in 19 African countries, and it hopes to award 500 machines in 2022. Future plans include building and renovating schools across Africa and empowering African entrepreneurs through training and access to capital.
“My classes in the Romney Institute have been extremely helpful to the project,” says Mutombo. “I have learned valuable skills in program design, implementation, and evaluation that I have quickly applied to what we are doing. I have also loved the focus on ethical leadership. Ethical leaders are what the world needs most, and that is what we are becoming through this program.”
Leading in West Africa
As area support services manager for the Church’s Africa West Area, 2009 alum Flint E. Mensah of Accra, Ghana, plays a significant role in keeping Church operations running smoothly. He supervises six divisional managers with operations in 10 countries who oversee a vast array of functions including travel, information technology, purchasing, and security. His department encompasses hundreds of employees, interns, and volunteers; 17 missions with 2,400 missionaries; and two operating temples—with an additional temple under construction and five more announced.
“I use skills I learned in the MPA program on a daily basis,” reflects Mensah. “I moved quickly to leadership roles because I was so well prepared.
“It is an honor and privilege to work closely with so many talented men and women who are dedicated to supporting the growth of the Church in West Africa,” he continues. “We see miracles every day. I see the Lord’s hand directing His work as we prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.”
Creating Innovative Jobs
California-born Kenneth Lalagafa’atasi Kuaea was surprised when his grandmother in American Samoa asked if he would be interested in moving to the territory and serving as a chief in their clan and village. On reflecting on that conversation, Kuaea felt there was more he could and should be doing for his homeland— and that gaining higher education would be essential to fulfilling those promptings.
Kuaea enrolled at BYU to pursue a joint MPA/JD degree, and after he graduated in 2015, he and his family moved to Mapusaga Fou Village, American Samoa. Since then, he and his wife, Louise (who earned an MBA from BYU Marriott), have been fully invested in serving their people.
One labor of love has been to help American Samoa diversify its fragile economy and establish its footprint in the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. When the couple learned in 2018 that the primary telecom provider planned to launch high-speed internet service, they partnered with the American Samoa government and built the US territory’s first contact center. They secured contracts for US hotels and retailers and trained their people to provide customer support remotely. Their company weathered lean months through the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have now expanded into customer support for US healthcare entities and federal agencies. With the continued support of their partners and the American Samoa government, they aim to generate hundreds—if not thousands—of new jobs for their American Samoan sisters and brothers.
These MPA alumni are living examples of using the skills they gained at the Romney Institute to become contributors rather than spectators at work, at church, and in family life. MPA alumni the world over are having similar experiences. Aided by their solid foundation in public administration, they are lifting where they stand1 in both big and small ways. And that is making a world of difference.
______
Ensign to the Nations Scholarship
One MPA alumni couple that wishes to remain anonymous is leaving a mark by funding a new scholarship dedicated to helping MPA students from countries outside the United States.
The 2021 recipient, Terrence Dela Peña from Antipolo City, Philippines, is the first member of his family to earn an undergraduate degree and pursue graduate studies. Dela Peña, his wife, and their two children faced many challenges as they prepared to come to Provo, including meeting requirements pertaining to visas and immigration status.
“During my first semester I wasn’t allowed to work, and my wife was the sole breadwinner to help finance my education and our family’s needs,” says Dela Peña. “We almost gave up because of the financial constraints. We are so blessed by these generous donors who paved the way for me to achieve my dreams so I can give back to my home community someday.”
______
Preparing for Future Service
During the 2021–22 school year, students in the byu MPA program represented 20 countries spanning 6 continents. As they look to the future, these students already recognize how their studies will help them become a force for good in their homelands.
“An MPA degree has wide applicability,” reports April 2022 alumna Alyssa Julia N. Caduada from Puerto Princesa, Philippines. “I have gained skills that can be applied anywhere—in home, work, and Church settings—and I have learned different ways to think about and approach a topic, problem, or project.”
As a current MPA student, Adriannah Metta from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, appreciates the hands-on education the Romney Institute offers and enjoys working with mentors in both the academic and professional realms. “Along with communication skills such as negotiating and mediating, I have learned the importance of valuing individuals and their experiences,” she says.
Perhaps most important, adds Cyril Mensah, a current student from Accra, Ghana, is the way classes are preparing him to be a moral and ethical leader. “BYU Marriott values allow me to lead as the Savior would,” he says.
______
Note
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign, November 2008.
