Diplomat in Residence – Northern and Central California
(Northern and Central CA)
Tours: U.S. Consulate General, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Consular Officer 2002-2004 and Principal Officer/Consul General 2018-2021); U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon (Cultural Affairs Officer 2005-2007 and Public Affairs Officer 2009-2011); U.S. Embassy Sana’a, Yemen (Public Affairs Officer 2007-2009); Office of the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. (Special Assistant 2011-2012); London Regional Media Hub, U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom (Director and Arabic Language Spokesperson 2012-2015); U.S. Embassy Doha, Qatar (Deputy Chief of Mission 2015-2017 and Chargé d’affaires 2017-2018)
Career Track: Public Diplomacy
Years of Service: 19
Prior Experience: Before I joined the Foreign Service, I was in graduate school pursuing an advanced degree in Religious Studies.
Languages: Arabic, French, Persian, Uzbek
Education: MA in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania; BA in Religious Studies, Arizona State University
Interesting Experience: This is an extraordinary career that puts unique opportunities in front of those ready to meet the challenge. I’ve been extremely lucky to have had a diverse set of assignments, each with interesting stories, accomplishments, and achievements. To name just a few: I helped Americans evacuate from Lebanon via helicopter during the July War, established a strategic dialogue with Qatar, negotiated the purchase of land for a new embassy in Doha and moved the consulate to a new location in Jeddah, supervised the destruction of retired armored vehicles (and a well-worn set of official china), conducted hundreds of interviews with media from dozens of countries in English and Arabic, survived terrorist attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, mentored and coached hundreds of Foreign Service colleagues, and reestablished U.S. official representation at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Through it all, I’ve been proud to serve the American people, helping advance our interests throughout the world.
Last Post: Consul General and U.S. Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, U.S. Consulate General – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Why I Chose a Foreign Service Career: I was on the path to be a part of academia when the attacks of September 11, 2001 occurred and changed my perspective on how I could best contribute to the security of our country and support mutual understanding with the rest of the world. I had spent years studying the histories, cultures, and languages of the Middle East and Central Asia and felt a calling to contribute those skills and serve the American people in government. I was sworn in as a member of the Foreign Service in July 2002 and have been proud to serve ever since.