Diplomat in Residence – NY Metro
(NJ, NY)
Tours: Guangzhou, China (Consular Officer); Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Cultural Affairs Officer); Beijing, China (Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officer); Suva, Fiji (Political Officer); The American Institute in Taiwan (Cultural Affairs Officer); Erbil, Iraq (Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Coordinator); Panama (Refugee Coordinator for Panama and the Caribbean)
Career Track: Public Diplomacy
Years of Service: 18
Prior Experience: Before I joined the State Department, I worked as a China researcher, a bilingual social worker, a resident director of a Chinese language immersion program, and a teacher of English as a Second Language.
Languages: Chinese, Spanish
Education: BA in History (University of Chicago); Graduate Certificate in China Studies (Hopkins Nanjing Center); Masters in Public Health (Yale University)
Interesting Experience: I’ve had lots of interesting experiences- from serving as an election observer in Fiji to monitoring UNHCR humanitarian assistance programs in the Darien jungle- but I’ll never forget working with amazing local staff on cultural exchange programs with Cal Ripken Jr. in Guangzhou; with StepAfrika in Tegucigalpa; and with Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States in Taipei.
Last Post: Regional Refugee Coordinator for Panama and the Caribbean at the the U.S. Embassy in Panama City
Why I Chose a Foreign Service Career: I was interested in public service and wanted opportunities to travel and learn new languages. I was also inspired by the foreign service officers I met while working as a researcher. They had great Chinese language skills and knew a ton about public health and environmental pollution in China.