In 2024, American Councils marked its 50th anniversary by launching the "50 Alumni for 50 Years" campaign. This initiative recognized 50 of the most accomplished individuals from the over 100,000 alumni of American Councils’ administered programs over the past five decades, highlighting the enriching and enduring impact of international education and public diplomacy on alumni and their communities.
The 50 Alumni for 50 Years initiative connected with alumni of 26 programs from 31 countries around the world, from Albania to Ethiopia to Vietnam. Selected from these 50 alumni, American Councils is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award: Ms. Anna Landre, an alumna of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, and Ms. Elnura Osmonalieva, an alumna of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program.
Anna Landre
Anna Landre, an internationally recognized disability justice activist and researcher, has built a career dedicated to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities —a path significantly shaped by her experience with the Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS) in Portuguese.
“As a wheelchair user with significant support needs, I never thought I'd experience life abroad — but thanks to the dedication, creativity, and open-mindedness of American Councils staff like Bo Knutson, I was able to do so on a Critical Language Scholarship in Brazil in 2019."
Anna’s experience in Brazil led to the realization that she could combine her two passions: disability justice and global affairs. During her time with CLS, she connected with the Florianopolitan Association of Physically Disabled People (AFLODEF), a local organization led by people with disabilities. This encounter was pivotal in Anna’s journey. “That sort of cross-border disability community-building and knowledge-sharing has served as the basis of my work today,” Anna shared.
Through her work, Anna has supported the evacuation and aid of Ukrainians with disabilities during the current war. She has also supported accessible disaster responses across the Americas, advocating for the needs of people with disabilities during environmental and humanitarian crises. Before this, she served as a twice-elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Washington, DC, where she advocated for disability inclusion in urban planning, social care, and pandemic-relief policies.
Anna is a Truman and Marshall Scholar currently based in London, where she is pursuing her PhD at University College London.
Elnura Osmonalieva
Elnura Osmonalieva, a 1999 alumna of the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), built a career as both an educator and filmmaker in Kyrgyzstan and beyond. As the co-creator and director of the Bilimkana Schools network, she oversees 14 schools across Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, dedicated to providing Western-style education to underserved communities.
Elnura graduated from New York University’s film program, where she refined her skills and began creating works that explore themes of poverty, education, and the experiences of young women in Central Asia. Her 2015 short film, Seide, gained international acclaim, earning nominations at both the Venice and Sundance Film Festivals.
Through her dual roles in education and filmmaking, Elnura continues to shape young minds and inspire others. Her journey stands as a testament to how a single experience, such as her exchange year with the FLEX Program, can lead to a lifetime of purpose and impact.
“When I was striving to earn the Freedom Support Act (FSA) FLEX scholarship in the late 1990s, I could never have imagined the incredible journey that awaited me,” Elnura reflected. “Looking back 25 years later, I can confidently say it has been a truly life-changing experience. I accept this award with heartfelt gratitude and a renewed commitment to advancing the mission of American Councils.”
About the David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award
In 2025, American Councils will support Anna and Elnura with personalized professional development programs in Washington, DC, including consultations, discussions, and various growth opportunities. American Councils Senior Leadership team looks forward to collaborating with Anna and Elnura as the inaugural recipients of the David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award.
The David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of alumni who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities, embodying the values of international education and public diplomacy that have been central to American Councils’ mission for five decades. The establishment of the David P. Patton Distinguished Alumni Award stands as a testament honoring the achievements of American Councils alumni in advancing a more interconnected world.