Fabiola Rueda (MIDP’07): A Light to the World, Brightened by Sanford

Having already served internationally, Fabiola brought years of experience and expertise to Duke when she arrived in 2005. The Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program often recruits students who already reflect the kind of world that Sanford hopes to build. So the trick is not to build great students but to empower them to inspire others worldwide to build more great leaders. Fabiola is the perfect summation of that mission, and she credits Sanford for giving her the tools she needed to amplify her calling to help others.  

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Today, Fabiola is a global leader in international development. A native of Honduras, Fabiola credits her time at Sanford with reshaping her mindset and professional trajectory. The tools and frameworks she gained enabled her to transition from a national development practitioner to an influential global strategist. Today, as Coordinator for a multi-country response at World Vision, she addresses the humanitarian and development challenges faced by migrants and refugees impacted by the Venezuela crisis.

With over two decades of experience, Fabiola has designed groundbreaking tools and strategies, including a global prioritization index for field operations, which directs resources to the world's most vulnerable regions. Her work combines public policy, analytics, and negotiation to guide organizations toward impactful, sustainable decisions. A champion for education, mental health, and economic resilience, she attributes her drive to her personal experiences of forced displacement and rebuilding, which instilled in her a commitment to transformative policies that empower communities and individuals.

Fabiola’s career is a testament to the power of public policy to foster change. Whether advising on global strategy, leading humanitarian responses, or founding initiatives like the Association of Honduran Women in Panama, she exemplifies what it means to “stand for something,” advocating for opportunities that transform lives and communities.

We recently talked to Fabiola about her work and the impact of Sanford.

What impact has Sanford had on your professional and/or personal journey?

The Sanford School made a significant change in my personal and professional path. I came as a development practitioner in Honduras, and the tools and skills I learned at Duke helped me build an international career. Sanford changed my mindset; it enabled me to think differently and deeper about development effectiveness and efficiency. This was a significant transformation in my life, as I was able and prepared to perform in different contexts.  I can definitely say I am a different person and professional after Sanford. I enjoyed the diversity and breadth of the program, as it helped me explore and deepen my knowledge in development effectiveness, policy making, and project implementation.  

In my career, I have been able to advise and lead strategic choices globally. The program helped me understand how to connect the needs, stakeholders, capacities, funding, and context to scenarios leading to choices. I have worked in both development and humanitarian spaces, helping teams influence policy change within the organization and also at the national and regional levels.

Something I valued from the program was having professors with experience in multilaterals, governments, and NGOs. It was invaluable to see how they tackled the challenges in the field or engaged in difficult negotiations.

Why does public policy matter in 2024 and beyond?  

Public policy is critical for change and transformation; it helps us challenge our current operations and identify better and stronger policies or operating scenarios. Public Policy matters as it helps actors adapt and evolve in a world of constant change and challenges convention. The value added of public policy is its adaptability across sectors and industries as a comprehensive approach to assessing the implications, costs, opportunities, and risks of alternatives to solve complex problems and situations.  

What is the most interesting highlight so far in your career?

I was able to co-lead global field operations portfolio priorities for World Vision. I designed an index to prioritize the organization's geographical footprint based on vulnerabilities, the severity of need, and country fragility. The model and approach are currently guiding the country's prioritization, and it helped the organization to focus its operations in the most vulnerable and fragile places in the world, increasing access to serve the most vulnerable children. Also in that process, I also designed an operating model to help our operations thrive in emerging economies through local fundraising and self-sustainability. This was a highlight in my career as I combined public policy tools, analytics, and negotiation skills to identify different scenarios and alternatives, helping the organization make long-term decisions.

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Terry Sanford implored students to 'stand for something.'  What do you stand for?

I stand for opportunities to transform lives. I strongly believe that education, mental health, and job creation are key actions to bring hope and help people, especially children, thrive in life. As a member of a family that was forcibly displaced and had to rebuild their lives in a different country, I believe education and mental health are critical for resilience and the ability to integrate.

I truly believe that policy in action has a direct impact on changing people’s lives. We live in a world where inequality affects both access and quality of education. I believe that helping people with comprehensive approaches helps them transform not only their lives but also their communities and countries. We need to help children and youth be prepared and create positive change in society.

What seeds of change are you planting in your community?

After graduating from Duke, I worked for an NGO and served as a Rotary Club member. I was one of the founding members of a Rotary Club in my home country, Honduras. Since I moved to Panama, I have supported local communities through an Association of Honduran Women living in Panama. We provide donations to local schools, support families, and coordinate donations in emergency situations in Honduras.