Nelson B. Delavan Award for a Foreign Service Office Management Specialist Mina M. Raass-Dana Bridging Missions, Building Alliances While serving as the politicalmilitary office management specialist (OMS) at U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Mina M. Raass-Dana made efforts that surpassed her official duties. She strengthened embassy operations and the U.S.-Japan alliance through her initiative, precision, and leadership. Balancing dual responsibilities as political-military and senior political OMS, Raass-Dana provided critical administrative and logistical support to senior leadership, coordinated seamlessly across agencies, and earned a reputation as one of Mission Japan’s most capable and trusted colleagues. For all this and more, she has received AFSA’s 2025 Nelson B. Delavan Award. One of Raass-Dana’s most significant accomplishments was spearheading the first-ever “Embassy Day” for the U.S. Forces Japan Commanders’ Conference, a daylong program bringing together 35 generals, admirals, and senior enlisted advisers for strategic discussions, resulting in improved collaboration between the embassy and U.S. military leadership in Japan. She personally designed and managed the program, venues, and schedule, orchestrating a 10-agency roundtable at the ambassador’s residence and policy “deep-dives” that delivered what one colleague described as “a high-impact day that advanced the alliance.” “There was a ‘before Mina’ and an ‘after Mina,’” her nominator for the award reflected. “Her departure left a definite gap in the mission.” Recognized for her professionalism and composure under pressure, Raass-Dana was frequently called on to manage the embassy’s most complex, high-profile events—roles that were rarely entrusted to an OMS. She served as liaison to the U.S. Secret Service during a 2022 VIP visit and as deputy control officer for First Lady Jill Biden at the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit. She coordinated security and logistics, finalized programming, and ensured seamless cooperation among the First Lady’s team, Secret Service, and Japanese counterparts. Her efforts earned praise from senior leadership for “quick-witted resolution to professional situations.” She became the go-to choice for special projects requiring both tact and operational mastery. In addition to her technical excellence, Raass-Dana distinguished herself as a mentor and advocate. She championed a junior locally employed (LE) staff member’s inclusion in VIP visit planning. This opportunity allowed that colleague to take on a lead role as deputy control officer for the Secretary at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. By identifying and promoting emerging talent, Raass-Dana helped strengthen the mission’s bench and fostered an environment where initiative was recognized and rewarded. A dedicated volunteer, Raass-Dana served on the Employee Welfare Association Board, was a voting member of the Housing Board at one of the world’s largest embassies, and was one of the founding members of the Tokyo Women’s Diplomatic Network, a cross-mission initiative to build connection and mentorship among women in diplomacy. Colleagues credit Raass-Dana’s success to her deep understanding of the mission’s interagency ecosystem and her ability to make complex coordination look effortless. She consistently balanced competing demands, managing schedules for both the ambassador and deputy chief of mission while arranging secure communications with the Pentagon and White House. The embassy’s limited country team meetings under her watch were described by her nominator as the “gold standard” for preparation and execution. “Mina always made the mission stronger. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that operations ran smoothly so that others could focus on policy. Her leadership and morale-building touched every corner of the embassy,” the nominator wrote. Raass-Dana’s commitment to excellence is rooted in values instilled early in life. In her remarks at the awards ceremony, she recalled growing up in Nampa, Idaho, the daughter of two young immigrants from the island of Tonga who taught their five children to “always be the hardest-working people in the room.” Asked what inspired her to join the Foreign Service, RaassDana said, “To continue public service that began as an enlisted THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 35 Mina M. Raass-Dana AWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE
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