Clemson alumna from U.S. Department of State to speak on leadership, meet with campus leaders

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, a Clemson alum who has represented the United States abroad as Ambassador three times and served in senior positions at the State Department and the White House, will visit Clemson University to share her expertise and insight on October 8-9.

Students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to hear her keynote address and attend a networking reception immediately following. The keynote address, “Leadership and Making An Impact,” will begin at 4:30 p.m. on October 9 in the auditorium of the Watt Family Innovation Center.

As Ambassador to Thailand from 2011-2014, Ambassador Kenney led U.S. assistance during Thailand’s devastating 2011 flooding and managed the response to the 2014 military coup.  She was the first female to head U.S. Embassy Bangkok, one of the United States largest diplomatic missions with over 3,000 staff.

She was the U.S Ambassador to the Philippines from 2006-2010 and was also the first woman to hold that post. There, she coordinated U.S. military and development assistance over multiple natural disasters.  During this and subsequent assignments, she pioneered the use of social media by U.S. Ambassadors to connect with diverse and dynamic foreign audiences.  Earlier, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, where she advanced U.S. business and security interests in Latin America.

Ambassador Kenney’s visit is hosted by the Graduate School’s GRAD 360° professional development program and Clemson University Inclusion and Equity.

Kenney earned her bachelor’s degree in political science at Clemson.

While on campus, the Ambassador will meet with President Clements, talk with a group of women in executive leadership roles, address an undergraduate political science class, and speak with a group of undergraduates and graduate students, in addition to delivering her keynote address.