Success in Public Service

Success in Public Service: Inspiring Stories of Government and Civic Leaders

February 15, 2024Last Updated: February 15, 2024

7 4 minutes read

Introduction

Public service is a noble and rewarding career path that offers the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people. Public servants work in various sectors and levels of government, as well as in non-governmental organizations, to provide essential services, protect the public interest, and advance the common good. Public servants also face many challenges, such as complex problems, limited resources, and high expectations. To succeed in public service, one needs to have passion, dedication, innovation, and leadership.

In this blog post, we will share some of the inspiring stories of government and civic leaders who have demonstrated success in public service. These stories are from different countries and contexts, and they showcase how public servants have overcome obstacles, achieved results, and made an impact in their respective fields. We hope that these stories will inspire you, as they have inspired us, to pursue or continue your public service career and contribute to the betterment of society.

Government Leader: Carolyn Hightower, Deputy Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Carolyn Hightower is a veteran public servant who has dedicated her career to improving the response and assistance to victims of crime and violence. She started her career in 1984 as a Presidential Management Fellow at the Justice Department, where she worked on various initiatives related to victims’ rights, compensation, and services. She later served as the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime, where she oversaw the development and implementation of national policies, programs, and grants to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and terrorism¹.

Carolyn is also a pioneer and leader in the field of emergency response and victim assistance. She was instrumental in developing and coordinating the federal government’s response to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing, the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, the 2001 September 11 attacks, and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina². She also helped establish the first-ever National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center, which provides training, technical assistance, and research to enhance the preparedness and resilience of communities and individuals affected by mass violence³.

Carolyn is currently the Deputy Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she leads the efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking, and to protect and assist survivors of trafficking. She oversees the administration of the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program, which provides comprehensive case management services to foreign national victims of trafficking in the U.S. She also manages the implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which outlines the strategic priorities and goals of the U.S. government to address this complex and pervasive crime⁴.

Carolyn has been recognized as a 2023 finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® (also known as the Sammies) Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Award, which honors federal employees who have made significant contributions to the nation throughout their careers⁵. She is also a mentor and role model for many aspiring and current public servants, who admire her vision, compassion, and leadership.

Civic Leader: Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International

Kumi Naidoo is a prominent human rights activist and civil society leader who has devoted his life to fighting for justice, equality, and democracy. He was born in South Africa, where he became involved in the anti-apartheid movement at a young age. He was arrested and detained several times for his activism, and eventually went into exile in the UK, where he continued his studies and advocacy. He later returned to South Africa, where he helped organize the first democratic elections and co-founded the South African National NGO Coalition, which represents over 3,000 civil society organizations.

Kumi has also held various leadership positions in the global civil society sector, such as the Executive Director of Greenpeace International, the Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the Secretary General of Civicus, and the Founding Chair of the Global Campaign for Climate Action. He has led numerous campaigns and initiatives on issues such as poverty eradication, environmental protection, human rights, and social justice. He has also participated in several high-level forums and dialogues with governments, businesses, and international organizations, to influence policies and decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.

Kumi is currently the Secretary General of Amnesty International, the world’s largest human rights organization, with over 10 million members and supporters in more than 150 countries. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction, vision, and operations of the organization, as well as representing its voice and values in the global arena. He is also the chief spokesperson and advocate for the organization, and engages with various stakeholders and partners to advance the cause of human rights.

Kumi has been recognized as one of the most influential and inspiring civic leaders in the world, and has received numerous awards and honors for his work, such as the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International, the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, the Gandhi International Peace Award, and the African Achievers Award. He is also a mentor and inspiration for many young and emerging activists, who look up to his courage, passion, and leadership.

Conclusion

These are just some of the success stories of government and civic leaders who have excelled in public service. There are many more stories out there, and each one is unique and inspiring. We hope that these stories have inspired you to pursue or continue your public service career and contribute to the betterment of society.