Aldona Wos, former U.S. ambassador to Estonia, will discuss her perspectives on leadership during the next Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 5 at The Empire Room, located at 203 S. Elm Street in Greensboro. Details...
A reception will be precede the program at 5:15 p.m. Wos, a medical doctor and an active community leader in the Triad, will discuss her thoughts on leadership and community service with John Alexander, Elon’s Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership for 2007-2008. The Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series brings accomplished leaders in a variety of fields to Elon University School of Law to share their insights with students, faculty, staff and the community.
Wos served as ambassador from 2004 to 2006, focusing on the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Estonia, Russian integration and the preservation of Estonian culture. She made a concerted effort to win the hearts and minds of the next generation of Estonian leaders, visiting all 15 Estonian counties and more than 80 schools.
For her service and dedication to the country, Wos was presented the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, first class, by Estonian President Toomas-Hendrik Ilves. She also received awards from the Estonian Defense Forces and the Estonian National Police Board.
Born in Poland, Wos is the daughter of Paul Zenon Wos, a survivor of Flossenburg concentration camp and recipient of the Righteous Among the Nations medal from Yad Vashem. As the child of a Holocaust survivor, Wos is passionate about the accurate portrayal of the Polish experience during World War II. In March, she received the Polish Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit for her work on behalf of Poland. In 2002, she was appointed by President Bush to serve on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and reappointed in 2004.
Wos earned a medical degree from Warsaw Medical Academy. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary medicine. As a physician, she has worked in private practice, corporate medicine, clinical care, and taught and consulted for hospitals and private industry.
Active in a number of philanthropic and community service organizations in the Triad, Wos has served on the boards of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, Family Services of the Piedmont, Hospice Palliative Care of Greensboro, Triad Stage Theatre and the Sterling South Bank & Trust Co.