Thursday, April 22 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm ET

Virtual Conversation
Watch on YouTube

US Department of State officers and employees serve to formulate, articulate, and execute US foreign policy. Yet, the Foreign Service falls short of representing the diverse composition of the United States as racial and ethnic minorities are continually underrepresented, especially in senior positions. In taking notice of these inequities, the US Department of State has renewed its commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive diplomatic workforce.

As head of human resources and talent management, the director general of the Foreign Service plays a leading role in the hiring, retention, and promotion of our nation’s diplomats. In conversation with Dr. Michael Krenn, former directors general of the Foreign Service will come together to share their experiences addressing issues of diversity and inclusion and discuss how the State Department can take action to create a more inclusive and equitable diplomatic workforce.

At the end of the conversation, Dr. Jane Carpenter-Rock, acting director of the National Museum of American Diplomacy, shares the Museum’s newest online project, “Facing Diplomacy.”

Meet the Panelists:

• • Michael Krenn, PhD (moderator): professor of history at Appalachian State University; author of six books, including The Color of Empire: Race and American Foreign Relations (2006).
  • The Honorable Arnold Chacon: director general of the Foreign Service (2014-2017) and US ambassador to Guatemala (2011-2014).
  • The Honorable Ruth A. Davis: director general of the Foreign Service (2001-2003), director of the Foreign Service Institute (1997-2001), and US ambassador to the republic of Benin (1992-1995).
  • The Honorable Edward Gnehm, Jr.: director general of the Foreign Service (1997-2000); US ambassador to Kuwait (1991-1994), Australia (2000-2001), and Jordan (2001-2004).
  • The Honorable Mattie R. Sharpless: director general of the Foreign Service, Foreign Agricultural Service (1989-1995); acting administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service (2000-2001); US ambassador to the Central African Republic (2001-2003).
  • The Honorable Harry K. Thomas: director general of the Foreign Service (2007-2009); executive secretary to the Department of State (2005-2007); and US ambassador to Bangladesh (2003-2005), the Philippines (2010-2013), and Zimbabwe (2016-2018).

For more information on our panelists, read their complete biographies.