Ms. Mariam Adil is the winner of the 2015 Andrew E. Rice Award for leadership and innovation by a young Professional in international development. She received the award at SID-Washington’s Annual Conference in May 2015.
The Rice Award (formerly the Truman Award) was established in 2003 by Andrew E. Rice and Robert Berg to honor leadership, innovation, impact, and commitment demonstrated by a young professional in international development. Mr. Rice was a founder and visionary of the Society for International Development, building it into a major global network. He also established the first newsletter and journal on international development, and helped initiate a number of development initiatives, including the U.S. Peace Corps.
Mariam is the founder and director of Gaming Revolution for International Development (GRID), and is an Operations Analyst with the World Bank. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Management from the University of London. Mariam also received a Masters of Science in Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences, as well as her M.A. in International Development Studies, Development Economics, and International Development from The George Washington University.
Mariam has been called a problem-solver, a leader and sometimes a role model but she sees herself more as an innovator. She aspires to find new ways to solve difficult problems and a good challenge usually takes her from a big fat grin to a focused frown back to a big fat grin.
Mariam Adil believes in the power of young people, especially women, and has a vision of a world where empowered girls are not a minority but a norm. Her favorite quote this year is "Why can't "run like a girl" mean win the race?" In addition to her roles and responsibilities with the World Bank, Mariam is working towards mainstreaming games as development solutions through GRID. The Rice Award was presented at SID-Washington’s Annual Conference, which convenes high-level professionals from all sectors of international development to discuss trends, issues and challenges through breakout panel sessions, lunchtime table discussions, and keynote addresses.