It is a bittersweet time at Atlas this week, as our longtime Vice President of Institute Relations, Jo Kwong, moves on to an exciting new opportunity at Philanthropy Roundtable.
If you have met Jo, you know that she is among the most spirited and gifted defenders of the ideas of liberty. She has spent the last two decades developing the Atlas network — helping “ideas entrepreneurs” develop organizations to promote free-market principles over the long term, and building relationships with donors who can sustain and grow the work of Atlas and its allies into the future.
Atlas is so grateful for her many contributions.
Jo has received a flood of well-wishes from long-time friends, some of which you can see below. If you’d like to drop a note for Jo and wish her luck in her new project at Philanthropy Roundtable, feel free to post your message in the comments and read others kind words.
I feel the need to thank you for all the support you gave me all these years. You expressed a genuine interest for HLI and me personally, and did your best to help us connect with other like-minded individuals. I believe that a big part of our success stems from the experience I gained as a speaker and participant in various Atlas events the last three years. Thank you for everything.
-Alexandros Mantikas, Hellenic Leadership Institute, GreeceBuilding Atlas and dedicating your life to the ideas of liberty, you are a source of inspiration for all of us. I have already shared so many of the stories I have heard about you and from you with my team at Samriddhi that it feels like everyone knows you personally.
-Arpita Nepal, Samriddhi Institute, Nepal
Your trust has been an incredible stimulator of our achievement, and i feel happy for people who will work with you in the future.
- Elena Leontjeva, Lithuanian Free Market Institute, LithuaniaJo Kwong was the first ever person from the freedom world who discovered me in Pakistan and contacted me to bring us on the train (metaphorically saying, from rags to riches)
- Khalil Ahmed,Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan
Leave your messages to Jo in the comments, and read more after the jump.
It is a sad news that you are leaving Atlas Foundation. Unirule has been encouraged by Atlas many times, and you are the important person to intermediate.
-Mao Yushi, Unirule, ChinaDear Jo, you have really helped build a great platform for liberty in the Atlas. Atlas has been very critical in the launch and success of CCS too. I will surely miss your support and guidance at Atlas.
- Parth Shah, Center for Civil Society, India
It was a great pleasure to work with you because this was not just work, but a true friendship.
You taught me so many things that I transfer now to my people and you can not imagine what your real impact has been.
Thank you for that and thank you for continuing to work with people committed to limited government and individual responsibility.
-Svetla Kostadinova, Institute for Market Economics, Bulgaria
That lady rocks. I used to call her the “superwoman of Asian liberty movement” as she was instrumental in starting the Asian Resource Bank Meeting (ARBM) and later the Asian Liberty Forum (ALF), in partnership with FNF, in 2004 (HK), 2005 (Phuket), and 2006 (KL). Jo also worked to bring some Asian free market leaders to attend conferences and seminars in the US through travel grants.
-Nonoy Oplas, Minimal Government, Philippines
Copyright © 2010 The Atlas Network.
Developed by The Liberty Lab
Congrats Jo!
Dear Jo
Thank you for your contrinubtions with Atlas .
The world became much better after Atlas started , and you as other Atlas heros helped in spreading the great ideas of Freedom and Classical Liberal ideas.
Wish you successfull steps and plans.
Best Regards
Riyad
Dear Jo,
Atlas is losing a terrific networker and long time “fixture”. It is a consolation that you remain in the movement all the same!
Very best wishes,
Jacob (Paris)
Jo’s contributions to the cause of liberty in many, many countries can hardly be overestimated. She was, is, and will be a great point of reference in our movement. I’m sure she’ll do great in her new adventure!
Jo Kwong is one of symbols of Atlas’ commitment and spirits.
She is a rational and able person with many ideas and initiatives.
I owe her a lot for her kindness and care.
Best wishes for her new job.
Xia Yeliang at School of Economics, Peking University, Beijing 100871
China
Dear Jo, I wish you all the best in your new challenge. Thank you very much for your help. I am sure you made a huge difference advancing liberty here in Brazil. Best regards, Paulo Uebel – Brazil
Jo,
You have been such a guiding light to so many of us in this Freedom Movement
You have shown us how to be more effective in this important work.
The good news is that we wish you continued success in your new and challenging role and rely on you to let us have your new contact details
With warm Australian wishes
Ron Manners
http://www.mannkal.org
http://www.HeroicMisadventures.com
dear Jo,
We met at several conferences on various aspects of liberty in the world. Liberty in the world (Atlas!)was your worry, your aim, your biotope. You did a wonderful job during all these years! I hope you will find new inspiration in your new position.
Boudewijn
Congratulations for your new position. It’s been fantastic meeting you in the freedom network. Hope to continually receive your support in in your new shift.
Once again, congrats.
Jo — What a surprise! You have been a wonderful inspiration to all who love liberty, and I know you will continue to be the same at the Philanthropy Roundtable–which turns out to be a very lucky organization! I remember when you first ventured out to Montana at Del Gardner’s suggestion and John Baden’s invitation, working on your dissertation in natural resource economics. Who could have known then that your intellectual curiosity about markets would lead you to have an impact on the liberation of people around the world?
Jo was and is an incredible asset to
Atlas and was one of the reasons I admire the organization so much. But we all know that lovers of freedom and liberty never really disappear, they only change place and form. So let’s all keep in touch and advance the cause wherever and whenever we find ourseolves. Thanks, Jo, and here’s to many more decades of progress.
Philanthropy is a necessary and natural part of a free society.
Best wishes and congratulations.
Carl-Johan Westholm, Sweden
Dear Jo,
I always respected you (a lot) because you’re a DOOER.
Indeed, I have so much respect for people who are “operational” (i.e. who are detailed oriented and practical), while having some philosophical foundations to their actions.
And you’re that rare type of person!
Yours in Liberty,
Michel Kelly-Gagnon, Montreal Economic Institute
Dear Jo,
Thank you for your professionalism, character, and dedication to the cause of liberty. People across the world are freer and happier because of your work, and I have little doubt this will continue to be the case in the future.
I wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Jim Agresti
Jo, you’ve done wonderful work for the cause of liberty. Keep on truckin’.
Dear Jo,
I cannot imagine Atlas without you, but then I expect that in the near future I will be saying the same about the Philanthropy Roundtable.
Change is wonderful and I wish you a world of challenging and exciting opportunity.
Warmest regards,
Ashley
JO!!!!
We wish you only the best in your new adventure. Thank you for everything you have done for all of your friends here in Guatemala!!
Carroll
Jo, it has been such a pleasure to know you and have the opportunity to appreciate your dedication and networking skills.
I wish you the best but know that it is not needed.
The Philanthropy Roundtable is very fortunate to have you.
I am looking forward to our paths crossing agian.
It may not be true that anyone is ever indispensable, but if it were, it would be true of you, Jo. Congratulations and many thanks!
Jo,
May God bless you in your new position at the Philanthropy Roundtable. Thanks so much for the joy and enthusiasm you have brought to the freedom movement at Atlas! I’m looking forward to our paths crossing soon.
Lee
Jo, You were an integral part of the success of Atlas for the past 20 years or so. We all owe you so much for your dedication and the sparkle you brought to your work.
Please stay in touch. We hope to work with you in the future.
Best wishes, Andrea
Congratulations on this new opportunity, Jo! It sounds like a great fit for you. Thanks for your dedication to Atlas and its IEs for the past 20 years! Best wishes!
-Colleen
Jo, the first event I attended outside of Minnesota and within the freedom movement was an Atlas event. You were one of the first leaders I met and you stood out then, as you stand out now, in a crowd. I trust this will be a wonderful opportunity for you and I hope to see you and work with you for liberty in the future. All my best,
- Twila
Congratulations, Jo! I can’t wait to see what great new things you cook up at Philanthropy Roundtable, and look forward to becoming a fan-boy there, as well.
Dear Jo,
I just learned of your leaving Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and I just wanted to thank you for all of the truly wonderful work you have done over the years for so many people worldwide in advancing the ideas of free markets and economic opportunity. Your further work on market-based environmentalism has made you one of the truly great leaders for the future of liberty.
You have always been a source of immense integrity, insight, generosity, and good will, and I know that there are many, many people who share my great admiration for you.
The very fine program and people at the Philanthropy Roundtable will only greatly benefit from your joining with them.
Best wishes in your new work!
David
–
David J. Theroux
Founder and President
The Independent Institute
Jo,
You have been an invaluable friend and resource to our think tank in Missouri and around the globe. While we will miss your bright smile, I know that your contribution to the freedom movement will only continue to prosper.
Best of luck!
Rebecca
Good luck Jo. Thanks for all you have done for the free market community and RGF in particular. Hopefully we’ll work together again in the near future.
What a great loss to Atlas… Your contributions will be unforgetable Joe.
I remember working with you briefly between July 06 and October 07, and it was a blessing.
Best of luck in your new challenge!
AT TTMBA 2009, YOU MADE EVERYONE FEEL SO WELCOME, I WILL NOT FORGET YOUR UPBEAT SPIRIT AND ENTHUSIASM FOR IDEAS.
FAREWELL JO. I HOPE WE MEET SOON, AS WE KEEP UP THE FIGHT TO EXPAND FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD
Jo. I think we know each other since you had recently started at Atlas. That´s too much isn´t it! But I feel pleasure for your progress and we have to understand that certain periods have an end and the new one is a challenge, as well as life. I wish you all kind of success in your new position and hope your family can walk together with you in this “turning of the page”. Atlas, Alejandro and all who
met you along the year will miss you a lot. Good bye and good luck
Jo, you’ve been a generous and inspiring guide over the 15 years that I’ve known you. Congratulations on your move and for all you’ve done to help build Atlas. May God bless your every endeavor.
Joe Lehman
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Thank you Jo for your passion and dedication! You have truly been a model and inspiration for me during my ATLAS internship and thereafter.
Dragos Pislaru
Group of Applied Economics
Romania
Dear Jo,
You were a great warrior to the cause of freedom anywhere in the world.I wish you great success in your new assignment.Babu
It was not pleasent for me to know that you are leaving Atlas. Since I met you in Honkong 2005, I am able update regularly about Atlas activities. You have done a great job to unite the freedom seekers like me.
Keshab Poudel
Editor
Spotlight Newsmagazine
Kathmandu, Nepal
Jo,
Not many people besides heads of state can say they have changed the world as much as you have. Your influence will be felt for generations to come. Hope to see you soon.
Jeff Judson
Judson & Associates
Dear Jo, All the best in your new assignments. Thank you for your great work. Let’s keep in touch.
Miguel Barba Moscoso
Bolivia
Smart, capable, friendly and hard-working. Jo, Atlas’ loss is a loss for all of us who work with Atlas as can be seen from these testimonials from all over the world. But Philanthropy Roundtable’s gain. They’re lucky to have you.
Dear Jo
Atlas will miss you, we will miss you like the many others inspired by your dedication to liberty.
Warm wishes from the Bahamas,
Joan Thompson
The Nassau Institute
Dear Jo, I wish you all the best for this new and challenging opportunity at Philantrophy Roundtable. Sincerely, Eleonora.
ps. By the way, the girls remember -and thank- you still for the stuffed animals..haha =)
Jo, you always made me feel so welcome at Atlas events. You will be missed, best of luck in your new role.
Wishing you the best Jo in your new position at the Roundtable. Looking forward to more good times in Montana when we get you back in the saddle! More memories to be made.
Cheers
Monica
It has been an honor to know you over the years since you came to Bozeman. You have gone on to do great things. I wish you well at the Philantrophy Roundtable.