FROM THE NEST | FALL 2024 | 21 involvement with the university’s international education programs, her volunteer work through the Community Service Office (CSO), and the Lehigh University/United Nations Partnership, which helped her get her first job at the United Nations. Pritchard also engaged with the local and international community. She competed as an NCAA Division I athlete on the rowing team and served as a program coordinator in CSO to organize community events, including Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and Wonderful World of Sports, which sparked her interest in collaborative problem-solving and community development. “The university provided a space where I could explore my passion for understanding different cultures and their impact on global affairs,” Pritchard said. She studied abroad in London and, as a Martindale Scholar, conducted research in New Zealand on the economic impact of the country’s immigration policy. Later, working in Myanmar, Pritchard advocated for rule of law reform and led large-scale human rights investigations, most notably in examining the alleged persecutions and killings of the Rohingya people, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group numbering 1.4 million in Myanmar. Formerly known as Burma, the Southeast Asian country began transitioning from military rule to a quasi-civilian government in 2011, with the establishment of a new constitution and more political freedoms. However, the military staged a coup in 2021, leading to widespread protests and military crackdowns. “In the U.S. we grow up understanding the importance of voting, but in Myanmar it’s different,” she said. “How do you describe democracy to people who have lived under a military dictatorship most or all of their adult lives? How do you convince them to take several hours out of their day to go stand in line for a process they’ve never seen before?” One initiative Pritchard’s team led was a Monopoly-like board game that simulated elections and the inner workings of a democratic government. The game was played with military leaders, parliamentarians and community members. The collaborative effort contributed to a remarkable 70% voter turnout in 2015 and resulted in a peaceful transition of power. “Ashley Pritchard exemplifies Lehigh’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and impactful leadership,” said Cheryl Matherly, vice president and vice provost for international affairs at Lehigh. “Her journey from Lehigh to tackling global challenges on the international stage underscores the power of international education in driving positive change in the world.” Returning to the United States A Facebook recruiter approached Pritchard for a job at the company’s Trust and Safety department. Initially skeptical due to Facebook’s role in spreading hate speech in Myanmar, Pritchard consulted colleagues and ultimately decided to join the company to drive positive change from within. At Meta, Pritchard and her team focus on developing products aimed at combating hate speech and removing content that incites violence against minorities. They leverage advanced technology and artificial intelligence to identify and address risks that have an outsized impact on vulnerable populations. Pritchard has maintained strong ties with Lehigh. She serves on the Martindale Associates Board, identifies Iacocca International Internship Program opportunities for students, and regularly hosts events for Lehigh students and prospective students in the Bay Area.—Colin McEvoy “THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED A SPACE WHERE I COULD EXPLORE MY PASSION FOR UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT CULTURES AND THEIR IMPACT ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS.” —Ashley Pritchard ’09 Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand (left) hands Ashley Pritchard (right) her master’s diploma from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Ashley Pritchard ’09 sits near railroad tracks in Myanmar. PRITCHARD HAS JOINED GLOBAL LEHIGH’S NEWLY FORMED INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL. SCAN FOR MORE INFO.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==