Secretary Albright
Madeleine K. Albright was a professor, author, diplomat and businesswoman who served as the 64th Secretary of State of the United States. Dr. Albright received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Obama on May 29, 2012.
In 1997, Dr. Albright was named the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As Secretary of State, Dr. Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated for democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade, business, labor, and environmental standards abroad.
Dr. Albright was a Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She was the author of seven New York Times bestselling books including her autobiography, Madam Secretary: A Memoir (2003).
Dr. Albright received a B.A. with Honors from Wellesley College, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Columbia University.
Whatever job you are asked to do, at whatever level, do it well because your reputation is your resume.
About our leadership and staff
The Albright Institute is co-directed by a program director and the Paula Phillips Bernstein ’58 Faculty Director. While the program director holds a permanent position, faculty directors rotate every several years and are recruited from different departments on Wellesley’s campus. This embeds a multidisciplinary approach in our leadership team.
Ambassadors Council
Composed of Wellesley College alumnae, global thought leaders, and contributors, the Ambassadors Council is an advisory group that supports the mission of the Albright Institute to educate global citizens for leadership.
Council members
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Diana Abouali ’93
Director of the Arab American National Museum
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Faheen Allibhoy ’97
Managing Director, Global Head of Multilateral Banks & Development Institutions, J.P. Morgan
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Dagmawit Assefa ’20 (Albright ’20)
Software Engineer, Peloton Interactive Incorporated
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Charlotte Ashamu ’01
Senior Advisor, Yale University’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
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Mónica Ballesteros Arias ’11
General Director for Institutional Strategy, Ministry of Health, Mexico
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Diana Chapman Walsh ’66
President emerita, Wellesley College
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Véronique Christory P’21
Senior Arms Control Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Delegation to the UN
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Yaffa Fredrick ’11
Houston Chronicle’s senior director of investigations and high-impact reporting
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Winifred Freund ’59
Classmate and lifelong friend of Secretary Albright
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Sabrina Leung ’18
Corporate Development Manager at iSHANG
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Sarah Lucas ’92
Global Lead for Data on Demand initiative, IDinsight
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Mira Patel ’05
Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Commerce
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Sylvana Quader Sinha ’99
Founder and Chairman of the Board, Praava Health