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Advance Praise for Everyday Ambassador
“We need a cadre of ‘everyday ambassadors’ to translate our best intentions into pragmatic actions that promote health andsocial equity. Kate Otto illuminates a way, in our digitized age, to develop deep human relationships to further these goals. Everyday Ambassador shows how Kate has striven to provide high-quality services to some of the world’s most marginalized people while enjoying the privilege of learning from them, as she shows us through her relationships at a homeless shelter in Rhode Island, clinics and orphanages across Africa and Latin America, and at an addiction rehabilitation center in Indonesia. Kate’s lessons are valuable ones for any young person who, as so many now do, travel in hopes of serving communities far from home.”
- Dr. Paul Farmer; Founding Director of Partners in Health and Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School
“Kate Otto’s stories illustrate the care, patience, and deep listening that are vital to crafting lasting solutions to social problems around the world. This book shows how humility and perseverance are needed to turn good intentions into meaningful action. It will provide valuable insights for the growing community of globally minded changemakers.”
- David Bornstein; New York Times Opinionator Journalist and Author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas
“A powerful 21st century story, Everyday Ambassador will inspire you to believe in your personal capacity to make a difference. Kate shows moral courage by pushing her generation to acknowledge its unique vulnerabilities. But she also guides her peers to solutions through her own example. No matter who – or where – you are, Kate’s message is to look in the mirror first. This book reveals the secrets of how to bring people together, even when technology pulls us farther apart. Throughout her adventures, she pairs tenacity with humility, revealing a blazingly original voice with which she speaks her mind yet listens deeply to others. Everyday Ambassador will fill you with hope for our inter-connected future.”
- Irshad Manji; Founder, Moral Courage Project, New York University
“We live in a world where technology truly can bolster, strengthen, and reinvent people’s relationships with our communities – and yet all too often we do not see this happening. Kate Otto proposes a smart game plan, through vibrant storytelling, for 21st century citizenship, and how we can use technology in pursuit of, not deterioration of, strong communities.”
- Trabian Shorters; Vice President of Communities, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
“Everyday Ambassador is a beautifully written personal narrative that articulates some of the most important trends of our time. Through Kate Otto’s travels and stories we can’t help but reflect on our own lives and the incredible importance of the everyday hero that is in each of us. Kate’s focus on humility and international empathy is the type of thinking that will, at scale, solve the most pressing challenges of our time… and it all starts with the individual thinking collectively. If you ever doubted that one person can change the world, read this book.”
- Daniel Epstein; Founder of Unreasonable Institute & Unreasonable Group
Everyday Ambassador is a necessary read for anyone thinking about contributing to social change. Foundation for Sustainable Development has been working with professional and student volunteers for 17 years, and we have seen both the great benefit and great damage foreigners abroad can do to communities. Kate addresses the issue of the outsider in development head on and with no holds barred. We need informed and honest advocates like Kate to ensure that those seeking to ‘help’ actually ‘serve’ and do no harm to our partner communities. Our deepest appreciate to Kate for doing a huge service for community-based development!”
- Mireille Cronin Mather; Executive Director, Foundation for Sustainable Development“
“Everyday Ambassador is a book whose time is long overdue, and Kate Otto is a changemaker who exhibits that all too rare combination of realizing great impact with deep humility. The lens through which she views the world is as much a student’s as it is a teacher’s, and the lessons she shares by example will have a profound impact on how social entrepreneurs understand themselves and their work. Everyday Ambassador reminds us of the power of human connection, and how courageous self-reflection is a necessary first step for those who hope to responsibly change the world, and be transformed themselves in the process.”
- Gabriel I. Brodbar; Director, Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Program in Social Entrepreneurship
“Kate Otto gives us an inspiring and clear example of how one must not just exist in the world, but rather be in and of the world. Everyday Ambassador exemplifies the value of strong relationships in our global era, taking seriously the attention and care required to form and maintain those relationships in the pursuit of a better world for everyone. Our world is increasingly interconnected and Kate demonstrates how to embrace that diversity through respectful and responsible global citizenship.”
- John Sexton; President, New York University
“Kate Otto writes as a millenial yet has lessons to offer all of us. She writes from her heart and from her travels and helps us see that “how” is as important as “what”; that in order to change the world, we must change ourselves; and finally that deep connections trump multi-tasking. I applaud her commitment and her wisdom.”
- Ellen Schall; Dean, NYU Robert Wagner School of Public Service
“Kate Otto bravely embraces personal truth-telling in this beautifully written book to share her well-intentioned but often clumsy globe-trotting learning journey. Disparaging her generation’s addiction to multi-tasking and superficial digital connections, she offers hard won critical insights to others who want to be of service in the world as she discovers that the way to change the world is to change yourself.”
- Susan Davis; Co-author, Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know; Founding President & CEO, BRAC USA
“Everyday Ambassador presents a terrific portrait of an often-missing perspective on public service. Kate Otto’s story illustrates how important the contributions of “everyday people” can be to foreign affairs and international relations in an era of globalization. I applaud Kate’s commitment to making a difference in the world. Her thoughtful assessment of the value of humility and self-reflection is a great read with useful lessons for those of us who make our careers in public service.”
- Andrew Rich; Executive Secretary, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Saw your talk on this topic and think its quite novel. Keep me posted on the book release date.
Kate, I love the introduction. I am excited to read the book. You bring such an important issue to light.
JRich couldn’t have said it better. How proud I am of you is beyond measure. You are so, SO inspiring. When can we expect the book? I can’t wait to read it. Keep fighting the good fight!!
xo
KDAL
Kate I am so proud of you! I just finished reading this and cannot wait to read the rest. Your concepts of the role of public service are spot on. Not only for those serving outside their “comfort zone” but those whom serve in communities much like the ones they’ve grown up in. Although I may never have the opportunity to travel or serve outside the States I understand the importance of commitment to the community you are in. Thank you so much for this! One side note… I know I don’t need to say this because if I know you as well as I think I do you wont but..Do not hold back!!! You’re sitting on a powder keg of emotion here!!! Let it all out!
Best Wishes, JRich :)
Thrilled beyond any measure imaginable.
Kate, this is a thoughtfully crafted, engaging, and provocative piece. I am SO excited for your book project! You bring to light issues that run rampant in the public service sector with candor and grit. I hope that your observations and experiences spark more conversations that turn apathy to action and good intentions into productive outcomes. Continued success and many blessings on your journey, sis!
Dear Kate, I am one of those “public servants” or better “NGO worker” with whom ambassadors like you interact in the unprivileged world. I appreciate and value your perspective and it is great you are writing this. Although you are better suited to write from the ambassador’s viewpoint and most who will buy and read your book will be from your vantage point, I think you would make a greater impact and a novel one if you include the public servant vantage point. Like you say, technology has revolutionized communications opening access to those who previously would be at a significant disadvantage, now they can and do interact in these public forums, but most of what you find is written by and for the ambassador audience. Give them the chance of speaking their voice not for your fellow ambassadors for their fellow public servants. I think you could do it. Your book may already include that or you may be so close to finishing that you would choose not to, but I leave it for your consideration.
Hello to a wonderful public servant!! Thank you so much for reading, and for reaching out!! I completely agree with you, that the perspective of the person “on the ground” and not the “visitor” is SO crucial (and I hope you noted that I have Glory, Boyu, and Tigi blogging for me to show this perspective on the site) — as for the Book, I’d like to speak with you more about how you think this could manifest itself. I have it in already in this way: the main character learns this lesson gradually (the lesson that she should be LISTENING to those voices, not just using her own voice even if it’s on their behalf) … and so in each chapter, increasingly more as it goes on, she listens to and gives the ‘stage’ to the people she’s working with. If you don’t want to share your identity on this site, could you send me an email so we can discuss further? I’d love to know more about what you envision.. my email is katherine.otto@gmail.com. Thank you again!!! All my best xoxo Kate
Kate!
I just got around to reading what I believe is your most recent draft (the one added Oct. 16th on tenlegs.com, I haven’t read the draft posted above). I think it’s really great and is so much in line with what I spent the last year looking at…I think this should be required reading for anyone who is interested in doing public service work abroad.
My three general comments/questions would be 1. How is the book designed? I ask because there are parts of the intro that read more like a conclusion to me, but if this is the only opportunity you have in the book to say these things then it’s fine to leave them in. 2. Related to the first comment/question, I would be interested in seeing more hints of what’s to come in the rest of the book so that it feels like this intro is laying the groundwork for what’s to follow. and 3. Since I’m a media person, I’m going to play a bit of devil’s advocate for a second :) I think what you wrote about technology and how it’s basically led to this disconnection from real human interactions (I’m paraphrasing so correct me if I’m wrong) certainly has truth to it. I wonder if maybe instead of suggesting we step away from technology/the internet and engage with each other more in a real way, you include ways in which we can both embrace technology and human interaction (if you believe it’s possible to do both). My personal opinion is that technology is so much a part of our every day but its use has become predominantly self-involved, so is it possible for us to utilize technology to augment human connections and interactions in an authentic way? I don’t have the answer to the question but it might be interesting to explore rather than stepping away from it.
Again, I think this is so fantastic. I am genuinely excited to read more! Much love, chale!
xo
Tausha
Hi Tausha! Gosh you are SO right about the idea of healthfully incorporating (rather than dismissing) technology — and it’s a point that the book’s main character struggles wiht, but eventually comes to by the end. So I promise it’s in there, and I REALLY appreciate your detailed feedback! I like understanding your reaction to this material (which is pretty different than the more storylike tone/language of the book itself), and hope you don’t mind if I email you later with some more critical questions about parts I could modify to better communicate my points. And as for the book’s layout, it’s really 3 parts, of the main character’s self development (how she understands herself as a public servant) — the first stage (and first countries visited) is mostly an awakening to the world, realizing what exists and how poorly it’s all been handled so far. Part 2 (including Ghana! and tanz) is more about first efforts at meaningfully taking action, based on the principles of good public service she learned from the mistakes of those first short term trips (but there’s still a struggle here, esp between being abroad and going back home, and not being able to translate lessons learned deeply into her own life) — and then Part 3 Indonesia, things really come together, bc she stops trying to treat it like work, and starts seeing it as just pure human connection first and foremost…… Anyway…that’s what it is for now, I’m so thankful for your feedback and hope I can ask more from you to help me shape it really effectively — your’e a master of messaging!!! Love and hugs, xox Kate
Yes, I would love to see more! Email me! I have to email you too about something. xo Tausha
Kate,
Wow – not much else to say thus far, other than THIS IS A BOOK THAT NEEDED TO BE WRITTEN! Way to go! Your opening anecdote is a very poignant example among many out there. Most revealing in your introduction here are your conclusions about how our comfort and reliance on technology have taken us away from the basic human interaction that ordinarily might govern our interactions. It has impacted our language and our very communication effectiveness. This will be an important theme to think about throughout the draft – and throughout our lives the faster they get. Thank you for putting this great work together in one place.
Mark
Thank you for reading and for you encouragement, Mark!!! You’re an amazing ambassador, and it’s people like you who I learn from…thanks for your inspiration. I’m at the Jakarta airport now, wish I was flying through your neck of the woods on route home … but maybe next time I come here I’ll have to schedule it special to see you! Thanks again for your feedback — xoxo!
Hey Kate -
Love the idea here around everyday ambassadors. I’d be very careful how to talk about technology. I really think that distracts from your points about making a long lasting commitment to something you care about. One quote I like on this note is from Gandhi and I’ll paraphrase it to “Don’t bother trying to change something unless you’re willing to invest 20 years in it.” or “unless you’re willing to die for it.” Obviously this is extreme but it goes to why as investors we pick people, not projects. We know that the project might not be on point but when we see someone committed we know they’re more likely to find an answer than someone who has a shiny tool.
I’m really happy to be living in DC where I’m originally from and have a strong knowledge of the community over time. I’m always attracted to travel but know that there’s already enough of a gap between me and my next door neighbor so that seems like a better place to start. I like the idea, just don’t think technology is to blame for what is essentially a social problem.
xoxo-
-Nathan Maton
Hi Nate! Thank you so much for this feedback and for your reflections on the concepts in the intro. I’ll absolutely be careful about how I discuss technology, because it’s absolutely not technology that is inflicting any harm on the world, it’s how people have decided to use technological tools, to stay farther away from each other instead of closer. The fight is in no way to slow down technology (c’mon my career is developing mobile phone-based health tools!) it is a fight to not fall prey to ancient pitfalls of pride, ignorance or fear — a fight that I think is simply far more difficult to win in a technologized era (more distractions, false senses of security). And encouraging humility, wisdom, hope and peace is a fight I’m investing my entire life in :)
I would use examples like my work in mobile health and your work with DCGam.es (and beyond) to show how, when used wisely, tech brings us together and allows us to serve in the way I think we were meant to. I know you’re already doing that daily in DC and wish you the best as you continue on that journey. I’ll be wary of my language as I’m doing these revisions to be more clear about my point! Thanks so much for writing, Nate!! And PS I’ll be in DC for the annual mHealth summit from Dec 5-7 – I hope we can meet up then. All my best — xox Kate
I cannot wait to read the rest of this book. Aside from being upset that I couldn’t see you in Boston this summer, I think it’s time for me to use photography as a service as you suggested. I’m sure we’ll see each other soon!
Yes!! Use your beautiful gifts Nishat!! :) Hope we cross paths soon as well. Flying over the Pacific anytime this week by any chance? :) talk soon – xox ko
Kate congratulations on the book! The introduction is an honest and timely response to the challenges facing the world and communites today as we embody and embrace the concept of global villages. I believe this is will be a testament of your work, experiences, and development as a global citizen and ambassador.
Many thanks for this feedback, Khionna! I appreciate your support and it means a lot to me to know that someone as bright and inspiring as you finds relevance in this work — thanks again!! Talk soon :) xox ko