Weber Shandwick Chairman Jack Leslie Awarded Colombia's Orden de San Carlos Medal

-- Honored for Contribution to Peace & Security in Colombia Over Three Decades --

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Jan 25, 2016, 04:11 ET

Weber Shandwick Chairman Jack Leslie receives the Orden de San Carlos medal from Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos. Credit: Presidencia de la Republica de Colombia

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick Chairman Jack Leslie was awarded the Orden de San Carlos (Order of San Carlos) by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in a ceremony at Casa Narino, the offices and residency of the Colombian presidency, in Bogota, Colombia.

The Orden de San Carlos is the highest award given to a non-citizen of Colombia. The honor is awarded to foreign civilians, diplomats and military officers who have made outstanding contributions to the Colombian nation, particularly in the field of international relations.

Leslie was recognized for his significant commitment to instilling peace and security in Colombia. Over more than three decades, he has advised five Colombian presidents and their administrations, including President Santos, on international relations, development, security and terrorism.

"I am so pleased to present this honor to my good friend, Jack Leslie," President Santos said. "For over 30 years, he has played a critical role in so many of the important events that have shaped Colombia's recent history."

Leslie was a leading figure in advising Colombia on the passage and implementation of Plan Colombia, a multibillion dollar U.S. assistance program that transformed security and judicial systems in the country. Plan Colombia will celebrate its 15th anniversary in a ceremony at The White House in Washington, D.C. on February 4, hosted by President Barack Obama.

The Orden de San Carlos ceremony was attended by friends and government officials, including former Colombian President Cesar Gaviria, one of the Colombian presidents that Leslie advised.

"I will always cherish this honor and my deep friendships in Colombia," Leslie said. "The country has been transformed in the last decade because of the work of so many courageous Colombians. Each of the Colombian presidents I have known and worked with has guided the country on a path to peace."

Over several decades, Leslie has built an accomplished career as a strategic communications executive, political consultant and international development activist. He is one of the pioneers of stakeholder engagement and political consulting and has been involved as a communications and political strategist in many of the most highly visible campaigns across three continents. Leslie was also instrumental in developing successful reputation and public policy campaigns for the credit card, food, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. As Chairman of Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and engagement firms, Leslie brings a distinguished track record of helping clients integrate global political, economic, cultural and communication trends into innovative, forward-looking strategy and plans.

Leslie was appointed by President Obama in 2009 to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. African Development Foundation. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chairman of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid, Chairman of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, former Chairman of the Board of USA for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Duke Global Health Institute and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications and engagement firm in 78 cities across 34 countries and operations extending to 126 cities in 81 countries. The firm's diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work, including being honored as an Ad Age A-List Agency in 2014 and 2015, The Holmes Report's Global Agency of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and PRWeek's 2015 Global Agency of the Year. Weber Shandwick and its Prime unit have won a combined 25 Cannes Lions since 2009. Weber Shandwick was also named a Best Place to Work by Ad Age in 2014 and 2015 and PRWeek in 2013 and 2014. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.