I benefited greatly from course offerings, and the excellent faculty and counseling. Ford made it possible for me to get into the Presidential Management Fellowship program”
Bart Édes
First job out of Ford School: PMF - US Dept of Commerce - International Trade Administration
As the Asian Development Bank’s North American representative, Bart Édes (MPP '87) raises awareness of the economic, environmental and social challenges facing Asia and the Pacific, and builds partnerships in Canada and the United States to meet these challenges. Over the past three years, he has linked hundreds of investors, researchers, technical experts, and development policy specialists in North America with ADB’s offices across the Pacific.
“We are tapping into pools of knowledge, expertise, innovation and financing in North America to strengthen our capacity to help low and middle income Asian and Pacific countries overcome their development challenges. The ongoing pandemic has heightened the urgency and importance of these efforts,” said Édes.
These days, Édes is working to generate support for a massive $20 billion aid package to address the COVID-19 crisis in ADB’s developing member countries. He understands the macro-level impact of his relationship building and policy dialogue in Washington, DC and Ottawa. “To the extent that I am successful, ADB will be able to better assist poor and vulnerable people in the world's most populous region: think of people without adequate access to affordable energy, water, sanitation, health services, and educational and skilling opportunities,” he explains.
After nearly two decades with the multilateral development bank, Édes’ enthusiasm about his work is steadfast. “I love my job, knowing that I am part of an organization working to promote inclusive, sustainable development in countries where many don't have their basic needs met and have to face great obstacles to improving their situation in life.”
Édes’ interest in international development and trade took root at the Ford School. “I studied international trade with Professor Bob Stern, who sadly passed away in 2015,” said Édes, “he really got me interested in US-Canada trade issues, which became a stepping stone for a career that has been mostly international.”
The career support he received at the University of Michigan propelled his interests in the classroom into a career. “I benefited greatly from course offerings, and the excellent faculty and counseling. The Ford School prepared me well for my successful application for the Presidential Management Fellowship program,” Édes said, “That program launched me into a rewarding career of public service.”