Diplomat in Residence – Florida
(FL, PR, USVI)
Tours: Islamabad, Pakistan (Senior Human Resources Officer); Mexico City, Mexico (Senior Human Resources Officer); Kabul, Afghanistan (Senior Human Resources Officer); Global Talent Management’s Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Office in Washington, DC (Recruiter); Under Secretary for Management’s Office in Washington, DC (Special Assistant); Bureau of African Affairs in Washington, DC (Senior Assignments Officer/Deputy of AF/EX HR Office); Vienna, Austria (Senior Human Resources Officer); Kabul, Afghanistan (Human Resources Officer); Bangkok, Thailand (Deputy Human Resources Officer); Doha, Qatar (Human Resources Officer)
Career Track: Human Resources (HR)
Year of Service: 14
Prior Experience: Prior to starting the Foreign Service in 2009, I worked with a myriad of non-profit, for-profit, and faith-based organizations that served as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) implementing partners overseas. I led institutions with Human Resources practices, general operations, and contracting work. To name a few, at Futures Group International, I staffed and established operational structures overseas in support of the Policy Project—a multi-year million-dollar program focused on maternal/child health, reproductive health practices, family planning resources, and combatting HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. At World Vision, I helped create and staff overseas offices and projects across Africa. Prior to my professional experiences, I served as a volunteer in Bouake, Cote D’Ivoire, working for Opportunities Industrialization Center on women in development and reproductive health/maternal child health projects.
Languages: Spanish
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) International Business from University of Vermont and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Jackson State University (Historically Black College and University)
Interesting Experience: Over the course of a 14-year career in the United States Foreign Service, I have undertaken a remarkable journey that spans hemispheres, continents, countries, and cultures, shaping me into an experienced HR professional with an inclusionary perspective. With my most recent assignment as a Senior HR Officer in Islamabad, Pakistan, I solidified my expertise in managing intricate HR operations within one of the world’s most demanding HR platforms and, as such, I contributed to an important bi-lateral relationship for the United States Government. I guided and provided HR expertise to a workforce that comprised over 2,000 individuals from various backgrounds, including American, local, and temporary duty staff spread across four locations. I created a unified “one mission HR service platform” and harmonized HR services across 16 U.S. Government agencies. Previously, I served as the Senior HR Officer for Mission Mexico leading a team of 46 Talent Management staff managing the HR needs of 3,000 people. Throughout this journey, I consistently demonstrated my commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive workforces, a crucial aspect of my role.
Last Post: Senior HR Officer in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Why I Chose a Foreign Service Career: My passion for international affairs and HR was ignited early in my career while working with Partners of the Americas, an NGO partnering the State of Vermont with the country of Honduras. This experience, funded by USAID, involved managing training agendas, staffing, and logistics for a program that brought together farmers from Honduras. It was during this time that I realized my enthusiasm for learning cultural norms, studying local labor laws, and crafting compensation plans that benefit employees.
My journey into the Foreign Service has been propelled by the unique opportunities it offers. It is not merely a career; it is a vocation that allows me to work in over 200 countries, immerse myself in diverse languages and cultures, call foreign lands home, and make a world of difference. This is why I chose a Foreign Service career, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation in my professional life.
With a BA in International Business from the University of Vermont and an MBA from Jackson State University, I bring a robust educational foundation to complement my extensive practical experience. Prior to my Foreign Service career, I worked with a wide array of non-profit, for-profit, and faith-based organizations, collaborating with USAID as implementing partners overseas.
In summary, my journey through the Foreign Service has been marked by a profound dedication to HR excellence, a passion for international engagement and diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the workforce. As I reflect on my career trajectory, I am eager to continue contributing my skills and expertise to the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the global labor market.