On January 31, 2005, Harriet Hentges stepped down as the Institute’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer after more than ten years of extraordinary leadership. During her tenure she oversaw the Institute’s significant growth in programming, staff and budget and directed the Institute’s efforts to develop initiatives in zones of conflict, particularly in the Balkans and Iraq. Below are the farewell remarks that Harriet delivered to her Institute friends and colleagues at a reception in her honor on January 28, 2005.

Harriet Hentges’ Farewell Speech
Address to the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, DC
January 28, 2005

Thank you for your kind remarks, which satisfy, in part, my desire to attend my own funeral.

It has been my privilege to spend ten years on such an important mission with such an extraordinary group of individuals. 

Chet’s final remarks to us as chairman made the point well—institutions are built by people, and this institution has been blessed with extraordinary people, stunningly so.

In every part of the Institute and its network, there are individuals who have inspired me, challenged me, supported me and even amused me.  Every day I had at least one good laugh.

To the members of the Board— your commitment and leadership have inspired us and enabled us to do our work because you do yours so splendidly.  I am aware of how fortunate I am to have served two chairmen of such brilliance and commitment and who set the tone and the vision for making real our mission.

To the program assistants—I think I have now interviewed each of you as a final candidate. You are the future of the field.  In our conversations I have been impressed by your passion for our mission, your dreams for the future as well as the intellectual, personal, and technical skills you bring to us and share so generously in the hard work I see you doing every day. You are a very special group of people.

To the program officers and the fellows—what impressive competence and intellectual power you bring to our work with a wisdom and drive that is so much a part of our substantive expertise. You stimulate us, you enrich us, and you delight us.  You are the “intellectual feast” that has been part of our daily fare.

To all those of you who provide the services which make this place run so that we can “think and do” -- finance and admin, pubs, library, IS, human resources, the web, congressional and public affairs – we all run harder and faster because of what you do so well. I know we don’t make it easy for you but you have risen to the occasion in this time of growth wonderfully.  If there was grumbling, I didn’t hear it.

To the senior staff— No one could have had a better group of colleagues with whom to problem-solve, collaborate, learn and grow.  I am indebted to you for support, your friendship, and your commitment to this noble mission.

And what a great front office team I’ve had— Maureen with her whiz-bang skills and ready wit.  Chick who I have been pleased to call a colleague and friend for some 20 years and whose commitment to the pursuit of peace and this organization are remarkable.  For the many, many ways that you have supported me and lent your talents to this institution, I will be eternally grateful.

And to my beloved Tessie, my partner, my helpmate, my supporter, and sometimes my safety net, no thank you can fully express what I owe you for your generous service, skills, and spirit.

To Dick— from day one, you made me a full partner which has made this job more interesting, more challenging, more stimulating and yes, more fun.  You gave me the freedom and the opportunity to build and create – to explore the seamless links of “think and do,” to lay the foundation for our post-conflict stabilization work and to find new ways to have impact in zones of conflict and to restructure our financial management.  I have learned so much from you.  You were very clear about the kind of organization you wanted this to be—innovative, collegial, and relevant.  I hope I have contributed to that vision.

My most cherished sentiment as I end my tenure is how proud I am of what we have done together.  “Together” is the key, because teamwork is a hallmark of the Institute, demonstrated over and over again and which allows us to do great things.

Robin struck a chord when he spoke of a desire to be part of something bigger than oneself.  That is the privilege that I have had and I am fortunate indeed.  I have said to the fellows when they depart, that once you are a part of the family you will always be part of it.  I am counting on that. 

Blessed are the peacemakers!  Blessed be you!