ONE members, I wanted you to be the first to hear it: I’ve accepted a job as Vice President Biden’s chief of staff on his campaign, and will be working back in my home city of Chicago. Unfortunately, this also means that today will be my last day at ONE.
Sheila in Ghana earlier this year. Photo credit: Morgana Wingard/ ONE
As US executive director, I’ve been so fortunate the lead our talented US team for the past three years. My time in Washington has been enormously rewarding, and I’ve learned so much. Americans from all walks of life -– mothers like me, students, members of the armed forces, leaders in the faith community –- mobilize and act with the kind of passion and fervor that every great campaign in history has had.
In three years, we’ve done a lot. I’ve advocated alongside our most passionate ONE members and appealed to members of Congress to support smart, life-saving development programs. I’ve also seen the proof and the life-saving effect that the programs like PEPFAR, Feed the Future and the Global Fund have on the ground in Africa. In Tanzania, mothers are receiving the ARV drugs they need to stay alive and provide for their families. In Malawi, farmers are able to grow more food and produce more dairy. More girls in Kenya are going to school. From Ghana to Sierra Leone and beyond, I’ve seen lives transformed by your hard work.
That’s a true testament to all we’ve been able to accomplish together, but as you well know, more needs to be done. We’re more than 3 million members strong, but we need you more than ever to help finish the fight. The beginning of the end of AIDS. Ending famine and hunger. Putting an end, once and for all, to extreme poverty. We can do it — and although I’m leaving ONE, know that you can always count on my support.
Thank you for everything -– and keep up the incredible work.