Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

KATIA BENNETT

Washington

Summary

Experienced diplomat with a proven track record in high-stress, high-stakes policy environments. Skilled in team leadership and fostering diverse and inclusive work environments. Exceptional communication skills and talent for building strong coalitions.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Deputy Director, Office of Western Europe

EUR/WE
08.2023 - Current
  • Lead 13-person team covering Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg
  • Ensure and close coordination with four embassies and six consulates
  • Supervise two USDH, and through them 11 officers, fellows, and interns
  • Serves as Acting Director of the 25-person office as needed.

Economic Counselor

Berlin
07.2019 - 07.2023
  • As Deputy, led three mid-level USDH, three LE Staff, and one EPAP responsible for sanctions/export controls, counterterrorism and climate/ESTH issues
  • Served as A/EMIN for 18-person section for approximately one year.

Regional ESTH Officer

Budapest
08.2016 - 08.2019
  • Promoted regional environmental, science & technology and health cooperation with 20+ missions in Central and Eastern Europe, managing two LE Staff and a budget of $48,000.

Human Rights Unit Chief

Kabul
07.2015 - 07.2016
  • Led a unit of three Foreign Service Officers and four LE Staff in advocating for and reporting on human rights/rule of law issues in Afghanistan, in partnership with interagency and international community stakeholders.
  • As State lead on women's empowerment issues, coordinated interagency programming and policy

Bilateral Affairs Officer

Tokyo
07.2012 - 06.2015
  • Served as the Embassy’s primary action officer on Japan’s relations with North Korea, South Korea, Russia and India
  • Assisted in managing two ELOs and three LE Staff.

Political Officer

Ho Chi Minh City
07.2007 - 07.2010
  • Monitored and reported on Vietnam's human rights, religious freedom and rule of law issues in 33 provinces
  • Co-supervised the Section's five LE Staff with the Economic Officer.

Mongolia Desk Officer

EAP/CM
09.2004 - 08.2006
  • Managed U.S.-Mongolia bilateral relations, securing Mongolian troop contributions to Iraq/Afghanistan missions
  • Also covered Hong Kong, Macau and PRC human rights issues.

Immigrant Visa Chief

Hong Kong
08.2001 - 08.2004
  • Led a section of 8 LE Staff and 1 ELO processing approximately 7,000 immigrant visas annually
  • Successfully transitioned the unit through a 57% reduction in staff due to declining workload and the SARS health crisis.

Consular Officer

Lima
06.1999 - 06.2001
  • Adjudicated immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications
  • Managed cases of American citizens incarcerated for terrorism and drug crimes
  • Supervised up to five LE Staff as acting IV Unit Chief.

Education

Master of International Affairs - School of International And Public Affairs

Columbia University in The City of New York
New York, NY
05.1998

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
05.1995

Skills

German 3/3 (2020)

Japanese 2/2 (2012)

Vietnamese 2/2 (2007)

Spanish 3/3 (1999)

Timeline

Deputy Director, Office of Western Europe

EUR/WE
08.2023 - Current

Economic Counselor

Berlin
07.2019 - 07.2023

Regional ESTH Officer

Budapest
08.2016 - 08.2019

Human Rights Unit Chief

Kabul
07.2015 - 07.2016

Bilateral Affairs Officer

Tokyo
07.2012 - 06.2015

Political Officer

Ho Chi Minh City
07.2007 - 07.2010

Mongolia Desk Officer

EAP/CM
09.2004 - 08.2006

Immigrant Visa Chief

Hong Kong
08.2001 - 08.2004

Consular Officer

Lima
06.1999 - 06.2001

Master of International Affairs - School of International And Public Affairs

Columbia University in The City of New York

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Johns Hopkins University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
KATIA BENNETT