Kristie Kenney

Kristie Kenney
Counselor of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Assumed office February 12, 2016
President	Barack Obama
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^[1] (born May 24, 1955) is the Counselor of the United States Department of State and a Career Ambassador in the United States Foreign Service. She 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 is 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.

Diplomatic career

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry appointed Ambassador Kenney as Counselor of the State Department on February 12, 2016.^[2] 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." ^[3]

In July 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Kenney as the United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand.^[4] She was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 29, 2010.^[5]

Prior to being the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, Kenney served as the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador and the Philippines. Before working for the United States Foreign Service, she worked in United States Senate, a tour guide in the United States capitol, an intern in the House of Representatives, and as a staff member of the Senate Human Resources Committee.

At the State Department, she was appointed overseas as economic counselor at the United States Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, and consular officer at the U.S. embassy in Jamaica. Back home, she was appointed as director of the State Department Operations Center, a detail to the White House as a member of the National Security Council staff, and political-military officer in the Office of NATO Affairs.

Kenney served as Executive Secretary of the State Department before becoming senior advisor to the assistant secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. She worked for both Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell and led the State Department's transition team from the Clinton to Bush administrations.

Counselor of the State Department

As Counselor, she has provided strategic advice to Secretary of State John Kerry, and taken on special assignments on foreign policy and on improving the State Department.

In January 2016, she became the first high-level diplomatic visitor to Argentina and Uruguay in many years, following the 2015 elections in Argentina.,^[6] among other overseas trips on behalf of the Secretary.

In addition to policy outreach, she has focused on reaching out to women and minority groups to encourage interest in public service careers.^[7] She has undertaken domestic travel, including to discuss careers in public service with young Americans.^[8]

She launched the State Department's first podcast, "Conversations on Leadership," which "gives a behind the scenes insights from Department leaders" and "offer a window into various thought and decision-making processes."^[9]

First woman ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand

Kenney was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first female U.S. Ambassador to Thailand on September 29, 2010.^[10] In her confirmation testimony before the Senate, Kenney noted the long U.S.-Thai treaty alliance "based on a common set of values that define our two peoples" and noted that the relationship "provides important benefits to both countries in health, security, trade and investment, in law enforcement cooperation, and in humanitarian assistance to refugees.^[11]

As Ambassador to Thailand, Kenney managed the bilateral relationship and led a large U.S. Mission during the consequential 2011 Thai elections,^[12] historic 2011 Thai floods,^[13] and the 2014 Thai coup.^[14]

Kenney was known in Thailand for her active use of social media for official and personal diplomacy and use of Thai language for social media messages and videos.^[15][16] The Thai public reacted positively, with her outreach called a "charm offensive" and resulting in a great deal of social engagement with the U.S. Embassy.^[15] In 2011, she was awarded the National Thai Language Day award by the prime minister for her high-profile use of the Thai language.^[17]

First woman U.S. ambassador to the Philippines

Kenney was nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush on November 3, 2005 to succeed Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 16, 2006, and was sworn into office by Secretary Condoleezza Rice on March 6, 2006. Kenney arrived in the Philippines on March 17 and submitted her credentials to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22.

Following the 2007 Manila Peninsula rebellion, Kenney voiced support for Arroyo, a key Bush ally in the Southeast Asian theatre of the U.S.-led war on terror.^[18] She congratulated Philippine authorities for their quick action that led to the arrest of suspects behind the 2007 Batasang Pambansa bombing, and she praised the Metro Manila Development Authority for keeping the capital clean and orderly.

Regarding the question of U.S. bases, she said: “We are not building any bases in the Philippines, we don’t have any plans to have bases, and we don’t need any bases."^[19] On December 4, 2007, Kristie Kenney turned over seven Navy utility boats and two Boston whalers to the Philippine Navy in ceremonies held at its headquarters along Roxas Boulevard, City of Manila.

Also, Kenney and World Bank country director for the Philippines Bert Hoffman signed the grant agreement of US$750,000 (±₱32mn) at the International Finance Corporation offices in Makati City, for the Bangsang Moro Mindanao Trust Fund agency. She earlier announced a US$3mn grant to the Philippines to help promote family planning in the workplace and American donation of US$38,000 for the preservation of Banaue Rice Terraces.^[20]

On November 19, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama designated Harry K. Thomas, Jr. to replace Kenney.^[21] Philippine media reported that Kenney, widely known to have become fond of her post, felt "heartbroken" at the thought of leaving it,^[22] quoting her Facebook status update, which reportedly read:

"Heart broken to think of leaving the Philippines but know it is time for me to plan to return to be with my family. Calling on my FB friends to help me not be sad but to enjoy and savor my remaining months in this lovely country.^[22]"

Personal life

Ambassador Kenney is married to Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield, who is also a Career Ambassador. She speaks both Spanish and French. She grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and obtained a bachelor's degree from Clemson University and a master's degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. She also attended the National War College in Washington, D.C.

References

1. "Kristie Anne Kenney (1955–)". U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. September 26, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
4. "US names Thailand envoy". The Straits Times. 2010-07-16.
5. "Nominations confirmed (civilian)". United States Senate. 2010-09-29.
6. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/01/251786.htm
7. https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2016/04/07/passing-baton-powerful-women-empower-aspiring-professionals
8. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/05/257674.htm
9. https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2016/05/04/listening-and-learning-conversations-leadership
10. http://www.allgov.com/officials/kenney-kristie?officialid=29022
11. http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2010/09/147552.htm
12. http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/07/07/thailand-s-foreign-relations-under-the-new-government/aapone-20110705000329787289-thailand-vote-layout/
13. https://diplopundit.net/2011/10/17/us-embassy-thailand-braces-for-more-flooding-in-central-bangkok/
14. http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-military-summons-former-government-to-meeting/1920806.html
15. http://www.interaksyon.com/article/8378/kristie-kenneys-charm-offensive-rolls-on-in-thailand
16. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/Thai-Twitters-loss-as-Kristie-Kenney-bids-adieu-30245265.html
17. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationphoto/showsection.php?pageid=204&id=&pid=11243
18. Afp.google.com, U.S. Ambassador gives backing to Philippine president Archived March 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
19. US envoy: We’re not building bases in RP; we don’t need any
20. Inquirer.net, US to donate $38,000 for preservation of terraces
21. Agence France-Presse (2009-11-20). "Obama names envoys to RP, Singapore". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
22. Veronica Uy (2009-11-22). "Obama names envoys to RP, Singapore". Philippine Daily Inquirer.

External links

• "Kenney, Kristie A.". United States Department of State. 2006-07-06. Archived from the original (official biography) on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2007-08-21.