AFSA’s Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy honors those who have made extraordinary contributions to diplomacy and the diplomatic profession over many years. The American Foreign Service Association established its award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy in 1995. By giving this high-profile award, AFSA also seeks to bring greater recognition to its other awards, including its unique annual awards for constructive dissent.

Originally, there were no criteria beyond those implied by the award’s name. First in 2009, and later in 2016, the AFSA Governing Board refined the criteria guidelines to be as follows:

• The nominee should have at least a decade of service to diplomacy and foreign policy development, and have made an enduring, positive impact on the diplomatic profession itself, including but not limited to promoting the Foreign Service’s primary role in foreign policy within the executive and legislative branches and strengthening the institution of the Foreign Service.
• The nominees may be retired career diplomats but could include other individuals in exceptional circumstances. When looking at an individual who was not a career member of the Foreign Service, one must consider the effect that the individual has had on promoting the role of the Foreign Service and championing diplomacy.
• The nominees are considered for their accomplishments during both active duty and in retirement. The enduring impact of their work on diplomacy, the profession, and diplomatic institutions and practices is particularly important.
• Nominees must be able to attend the awards ceremony in person.

The presentation takes place during AFSA’s annual Awards Ceremony, typically in October. Click here for a complete list of previous recipients.

For information on these awards, please contact awards@afsa.org.

AFSA is honored to announce that Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will receive the association’s 2025 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award in recognition of her deep commitment to the Foreign Service, mentorship, and leadership.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations and the U.S. Representative in the U.N. Security Council from 2021 to 2025.  During her tenure at the United Nations, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield was also a member of the President’s Cabinet and the National Security Council. Prior to this, she headed the State Department’s transition team for the Biden administration.

As a career diplomat, Thomas-Greenfield has had a wide range of assignments including as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2013-2017), where she led U.S. policy development for sub-Saharan Africa. From 2012 to 2013, she served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, overseeing the State Department’s workforce. Notable overseas roles include postings in Switzerland, Pakistan, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Jamaica. In Washington, she also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

After retiring in 2017, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield led the Africa Practice at the Albright Stonebridge Group and became the first Distinguished Resident Fellow in African Studies at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Known for her relationship-building and problem-solving acumen, she co-chaired an Advisory Committee in 2020 for the Council on Foreign Relations Special Report, “Revitalizing the State Department and American Diplomacy.”

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the foreign affairs community. When she joined the Foreign Service in 1982, there were few Black women in its ranks. Her ability to overcome adversity and her leadership style grounded in kindness are just two qualities that have made her an exceptional diplomat. Her experience informed her advocacy on why the Foreign Service should reflect America, and the institutional reforms needed to revitalize the State Department and U.S. diplomacy. Known to be a valued mentor to young State Department staff and her students, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s leadership and generosity continue to have an impact on the new generation of American diplomats.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, where she also pursued doctoral studies. She was the 2015 recipient of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award and the 2000 recipient of the Warren Christopher Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Affairs. She has received several Superior, Meritorious, and Performance awards, including the Presidential Meritorious Service Award. She was a 2010 inductee into the Louisiana State University Alumni Association Hall of Distinction. She has honorary doctorates from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Liberia.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will be honored at the 2025 AFSA Awards Ceremony, which will be held this year on October 1 at 4:00 pm at Georgetown University's Lohrfink Auditorium. Please save the date!