Young and Influential

Mary David

Mary David

Because of her work for human rights, Mary David ’07 was named among the “2013 Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders Under 33.” In the international list, Diplomatic Courier magazine and the nonprofit organization Young Professionals in Foreign Policy teamed up to identify the most influential foreign policy leaders younger than 33.

“An ardent defender of human dignity, Mary David fights against human trafficking and ceaselessly works for the rights of women and children worldwide,” said Ana C. Rold, editor-in-chief of the Diplomatic Courier.

David, director of public relations for the Foundation for Post Conflict Development, helped draft some of Maryland’s first laws against human trafficking. She was deputy chair of public awareness for the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force and assists the Office of Children’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State. She was the United Nations adviser on women and children for the ambassador of East Timor to the U.N. A lecturer on human rights and South Asian American identity, she has spoken at numerous institutions, including Georgetown University and the National Press Club.

David graduated from UMW with a double major in international affairs and communication, then earned a juris doctor from the George Washington University Law School.

“I am truly honored to be recognized among such prestigious and influential leaders from around the world,” David said. “To be one of only 99 selected – and to see what others from the millennial generation are doing – inspires me to effect greater change.”