The Foreign Service Journal, May 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2013 31 groups as part of its effort to attract competitive minority can- didates for domestic and overseas assignments. Shortly after her arrival in 2009, the bureau’s former principal deputy assis- tant secretary, Nancy McEldowney, participated in a round- table discussion with the leaders of the Thursday Luncheon Group and other affinity groups on identifying and advancing diversity initiatives within the bureau. Shortly thereafter, EUR developed a bureau mission statement incorporating diversity as a priority objective, a goal that its front office has repeatedly underscored both within the department and to its overseas posts. The bureau held periodic brown-bag sessions to orient candidates to its bidding process, and points of contact within the bureau quickly responded to questions from candidates. Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, McEldowney’s successor as principal DAS, maintained the program’s momentum; shortly after her arrival, she spoke to a TLG luncheon on the European Union’s financial crisis. Her successor, Marie Yovanovitch, has assured the group’s leadership that she is equally committed to the bureau’s diversity goals, and she has already designated an EUR liaison to TLG. Because of EUR’s consistent and effective management approach, we have seen an increase in the number of mid- level African-American officers serving within the bureau. Such assignments are giving these FSOs vital exposure to the important issues in the region, and TLG is confident that, over time, they will be equipped to competitively bid on and secure positions of greater responsibility, including principal officers, deputy chiefs of mission and ambassadors. They will then bring overseas experience and expertise to leadership positions in Washington. Celebrating 40 Years As these initiatives demonstrate, TLG is off to an exhilarat- ing start in celebrating its 40th anniversary. Just as we enjoyed an unprecedented level of support for our leadership and man- agement goals from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and her team, we look forward to continuing these collabora- tive efforts under Secretary John Kerry. We continue to believe that actively recruiting a work force that reflects the American public in all its variety will strengthen our U.S. foreign policy and serve as a model to attract even more distinguished African-American Foreign Service officers. For more details about our activities or to join us, please visit our Web site, www.thursdayluncheongroup.org. n