Celebrating EAA’s Women on International Women’s Day: Dr Mary Joy Pigozzi

Interview with Dr. Mary-Joy Pigozzi, Executive Director of Educate A Child (EAC) programme, Education Above All

The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is a only two hours by car from the Russian city of Belgorod. Yet, these days, the lives of children in the two cities are drastically different. Children in Kharkiv live in constant fear and are facing disrupted schooling. As is so often the case, the destiny of a child and their chances to go to school, learn, play and grow-up in peace are determined by the place they were born, by pure geography. 

It is understanding this simple fact at a young age that drove Dr. Mary-Joy Pigozzi to choose a career in development and education. As EAA marks its 10th birthday and as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reflect on her work and the work of all the incredible women behind the success of EAA. Dr Mary runs our Educate A Child programme, and shares the most challenging and inspirational moments she has encountered in making sure that no child is left behind.

Q: Why Education Above All?

A: The driving force behind my decision to accept my position as Executive Director for “Educate A Child” was three-fold: The challenge and opportunity of developing something meaningful for millions of children; a need for another challenge after holding a significant leadership role in my former organisation; and a belief that I needed to understand the Middle East better than I did given its emerging role in the global scene. I chose EAA because Her Highness set a vision that was consistent with my passion, and provided an opportunity to activate a long-held desire to contribute to the wellbeing and quality of life of children and communities around the world.

Q: Why education? 

A: I have always wanted to work in education. As a six year, old born and growing up in a remote African village, I informed my British parents that I wanted to work for UNESCO. I think I knew UNESCO did education around the world; it’s most likely that at that age I did not know what it was or how it worked!

Education was a very high priority in my family; its value was instilled very early. During my 4th year of primary school, I had to travel far to continue my education in English because that opportunity was not available at home at that time. This involved riding in a lorry for 1-2 days (depending on the weather and break downs), followed by 1 ½ days of train travel to the neighbouring country. My younger brothers and I did this three times a year unaccompanied by adults, only going home for the holidays. We had many challenges and adventures but honed our resilience and humour. Any loving parents who take this kind of decision for their young children place high value on education and what it can bring to them.

Coming from a very modest background, I understood from an early age that learning provided me with tools far beyond academic performance in school. Skills developed through education such as critical thinking, problem solving, and interpersonal skills empowered me to face the challenges of being away from home at a young age and of bridging cultures. I realised learning was essential for survival and any definition of success.

Q: When and where did your path on this journey begin?

A: All this early learning served well in defining a career path that made sense to me—although that path was not clear to many others in its early stages! I was always focused on working in international development because I saw at an early age the different opportunities that were available to people based only on where they lived. I understood that being female in international development that, at the time, was primarily male, was a barrier to be overcome—performance, achievement, willingness to “do the necessary”, and a commitment to integrity were often challenging but necessary.

I learned that being a woman in high profile leadership positions required a belief in myself, my abilities, my stamina, and my resilience.

Q: To date, what have been some of your proudest achievements in work?

A: Personal assessment of achievement is often very different from external assessments.

I believe that I bring the ability to link, in positive and practical ways, workable solutions on the ground to practical policy and advocacy. I am good at “walking in other people’s shoes” whether it is talking with a Minister about a national education policy or resolving an education obstacle in a classroom or home. I think I understand “teams”—how to work in unison, how to “keep an eye on the prize” while enabling others to reach for their goals, and how important it is to share credit and be grateful for the many contributions of others. This skill set, along with my formal education, made it easier for me to lead a team and a growing global partnership to exceed EAC’s original goal of enrolling 10 million out of school children at the primary level. A non-judgmental view of others pulling the wagon in the same direction and recognising their contribution was essential in managing successful teamwork.

Q: To date, what have been some of your hardest moments in your work?

A: The experience of avoiding dead bodies on the ground in a coup, visiting a school worrying about bullets from the forest and land mines on the ground, working with children with spindle-thin limbs and bellies bloated from starvation as part of the job grounds me in reality—not of my personal aspirations but of how unfair life can be. No human, but especially no child, should have to face any of this as part of life. This stark reality had a way of shocking me but also prompted a level of gratitude for my life not held before.

Q: Is there any knowledge or advice that inspires you in your field of work?

A: My inspiration comes from those who do so much with so little and those who are positive and brave in grave situations, who never give up “fighting against the odds”. I have learned about the courage and bravery of others that has struck my heart and deepened my passion for this work to help ensure equal opportunity in education for all.

Q: If there was one thing you wish everyone just naturally knew – what would it be?

A: I wish people understood that much of what we have is not a given but a function of where and to whom we were born. I wish everyone (including myself) was more kind, willing to live more simply, and to give more.

Q: If there was a behaviour or action you wished everyone could automatically adopt – what would it be?

A: I wish there really was equal opportunity. With that we would all benefit from the amazing gifts of so many who are denied the chance to develop and use their gifts.