Kristie Kenney | |
---|---|
Counselor of the United States Department of State | |
In office February 12, 2016 – February 17, 2017 |
|
President |
Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Tom Shannon |
United States Ambassador to Thailand | |
In office January 19, 2011 – November 6, 2014 |
|
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Eric John |
Succeeded by | Glyn Davies |
United States Ambassador to the Philippines | |
In office March 22, 2006 – July 28, 2009 |
|
President |
George W. Bush Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Francis Ricciardone |
Succeeded by | Harry Thomas |
United States Ambassador to Ecuador | |
In office September 25, 2002 – July 6, 2005 |
|
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Gwen Clare |
Succeeded by | Linda Jewell |
Executive Secretary of the United States Department of State | |
In office March 2, 1998 – April 30, 2001 |
|
President |
Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Bill Burns |
Succeeded by | Maura Harty |
Personal details | |
Born |
Kristie Anne Kenney May 24, 1955 Washington, D.C, U.S. |
Spouse(s) | William Brownfield |
Alma mater |
Clemson University Tulane University |
Kristie Anne Kenney is a senior, career U.S. diplomat who served as the 32nd Counselor of the United States Department of State from 2016 to 2017. She is a recipient of the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award and holds the nation's highest diplomatic rank of Career Ambassador in the United States Foreign Service. She served as the Department of State Transition Coordinator for the 2016-17 Transition.
Ambassador Kenney previously served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, as United States Ambassador to the Philippines, and most recently as United States Ambassador to Thailand. She was the first female U.S. ambassador to the latter two countries. Kenney holds a masters degree in Latin American studies from Tulane University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Clemson University.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry appointed Ambassador Kenney as Counselor of the State Department on February 12, 2016. In this role, Ambassador Kenney "provides strategic guidance to the Secretary on foreign policy, undertakes efforts to enhance U.S. diplomacy and public outreach, and conducts special diplomatic assignments as directed by the Secretary."