1. WHAT EMPLOYERSSAY:
 Ms. Fontaine is unquestionably the most stellar and technically competent gender advisor I
have worked with in my 17 years as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID.
 I have never known anyone more adaptable than Mary to human diversity and the
challenging, multi-cultural environments in which USAID works. Extraordinary is the only
word that comes to mind.
 Ms. Fontaine’s work has extended beyond the Program Office and has influenced the work
of others throughout the larger USG Mission. As a result of her advocacy and influence, she
has literally shaped USG interagency civil-military assessments, planning and training on
gender and women’s capacity building and participation in development in Afghanistan.
 Mary is an extremely engaging speaker with a passion that is infectious. One new Field
Program Officer reflected after receiving a briefing from Ms. Fontaine on gender challenges
and opportunities, "Mary embodies a unique combination of qualities: knowledgeable,
insightful, passionate and engaging." One military colleague commented on her
performance as a guest speaker for Female Engagement Team training, stating, "I cannot
tell you enough how grateful we were to have her. She was phenomenal! Everybody in that
room, military and civilian, thought she was the most informative and motivating speaker
they have heard on Gender." Yet another military colleague commented, "She's hands- down
the most qualified gender expert in country.”
 Mary’s energy and passion surrounding women’s rights and gender has been infectious. She
always balances a high level of professionalism with a gritty activism for Afghan women’s
rights.
 Ms. Fontaine’s combination of diplomacy, technical skill, and willingness to provide hands-
on assistance quickly won the trust of Mission’s technical offices, leading them to seek out
her assistance in the design of new programs and for guidance in program execution.
 Ms. Fontaine’s work has been of remarkable benefit to the entire U.S. Mission and the
people of Afghanistan.