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Bucerius Alumnus Interview: Lena Kilee

Lena Kilee is currently a McCloy Scholar at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. She focuses on foreign and security policy, leadership, strategic management and negotiations. Previously, Lena was deputy head of the anti-corruption unit at the European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) and worked as a rule-of-law advisor to the Afghan Ministry of the Interior in Kabul. She served in Kabul while on secondment from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, where she had been responsible for substantive and technical support for programs aimed at rebuilding institutions in post-conflict countries and strengthening law enforcement capacity. Lena is a trained lawyer. She participated in the 2007 Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance.

What one aspect of the Bucerius experience is the most important for you?
Bucerius brings together a diverse and global community of engaged participants who are intellectually curious. Being able to continuously engage with this group of people who come from all regions of the world, representing business, government, civil society, academia and media, provides me with an invaluable opportunity to thoroughly learn from the very unique and diverse mindsets represented. These insights have guided my approach to tackling complex issues across traditional “divides.”

What did you like the most about your time with Bucerius and the ZEIT-Stiftung?
I very much enjoyed discussing global challenges and trends in an environment of open dialogue, free from rigid affiliation or dogma. By interacting and learning from the personal experiences of others, my own preconceptions and biases were rigorously challenged.

What do you value most in the Bucerius family?
The Bucerius family is a unique network of amazing individuals who make it easy to build great friendships along the way, across the globe. I have moved around quite a bit in the past few years, and my Bucerius colleagues and friends often are my first contact point in a new city. It was a pleasant surprise to find myself in a meeting in Kabul last year with a Bucerius alumnus whom I had met during our Governance Talks in Belgrade a few months before.

What did you enjoy most while in Hamburg?
The organizers of the Bucerius Summer School made a great effort of combining inspiring dialogue on complex global issues with an outstanding social program. I still remember many of the intense dinner conversations which ended on a dance floor in the early morning hours. Team-rowing on the Alster and sailing in the Baltic Sea were definitely highlights, as well. It was wonderful to refresh these memories during our 2008 reunion in Hamburg and catch up with many friends who share the same enthusiasm for the Bucerius community.

Who do you think should be a Bucerius fellow in the U.S.?
Most importantly, he/she needs to have a global perspective and share the belief that today’s world’s interconnectivity needs a pooling of very different talents, ideas, skills, and experiences. He/she should have a desire to serve society at large.

What should Americans know about Bucerius?
Bucerius should be known as a strong network of talented and enthusiastic professionals who are committed to collaborate across sectors towards common goals.

What can Bucerius learn from the U.S.?
I think the U.S. is a great example of a nation of risk-takers. Americans believe that one needs to make mistakes to learn and get better while building new companies, innovating, or striving to make breakthroughs.

What is your biggest extravagance?
Flying across the globe, even if it’s only for a long weekend. Also, being able to study again – luxuriating in reading, writing and debating.

What is your current state of mind? 

Living in the here and now while planning my next step, trying to find or create the space where I can put many of the pieces together.

What German proverb do you like most?
I don’t really use proverbs. I recently came across my favorite Steve Jobs quote on innovators: “You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. … Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”