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Former AFS Participants in the NewsSince the beginning of the exchange program,many AFS Returnees have assumedinfluential positions into their adult lives.Two returnees, Shanti Eva Wanasundera andChristine Lagarde, were selected this pastsummer to fill significant offices.Christine LagardeThe former French Minister ofEconomy, Christine Lagarde (Franceto USA 1973–1974), was selected asthe new managing director of theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)this summer. She is the first womanto hold the position. As a teenager,she participated in an AFS exchangeprogram to Maryland. Upon returningto France, Lagarde received a lawdegree and a Master’s in politicalscience. From 1981 to 2005, sheworked in the firm Baker & McKenzieand was elected the company’s firstwoman chairperson in 1999. Hercareer within the French governmentbegan in 2005 when she assumedthe role of Trade Minister. In 2007 shealso became the country’s Minister ofAgriculture and Minister of Finance, aposition she held until her election tothe IMF. Her professional career hasbeen praised by many and has beenwidely featured in the media. Forbesmagazine has rated her among themost powerful women in the worldand The Financial Times named herEurope’s best Finance Minister.Shanti Eva WanasunderaAFS Returnee Shanti EvaWanasundera (Sri Lanka to USA1971–1972) was sworn in as Sri Lanka’sAttorney General on September12, 2011. Her appointment marks animportant milestone for the countryas she is the first woman to hold thisprestigious position within the SriLankan government. Wanasunderaparticipated in an AFS exchangeprogram in 1971 when she lived with afamily in Arizona. She returned to SriLanka and studied law, beginning hercareer at the Gangodawila MagistrateCourt and the District Courts of Mt.Lavinia and Colombo. She workedin the Attorney General’s officebeginning in 1979 as a state counselor.She gained valuable experience whileworking in the office and assumedthe role of acting attorney general nofewer than 16 times. Thirty-two yearsafter joining the Attorney General’sOffice, Wanasundera was appointedto the position of Attorney Generalin 2011. She has the distinction ofhaving a career replete with ‘firsts’as Sri Lanka’s first woman SeniorState Counselor, first woman DeputySolicitor General, first womanAdditional Solicitor General and thefirst woman Solicitor General of SriLanka. Wanasundera has two childrenstudying abroad and is married toSri Lankan businessman IndrajithWanasundera.