THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 65 AFSA NEWS HANNAH DRAPER STATE REPRESENTATIVE hannah draper has been serving in State’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers (PM/ RSAT) as a deputy director in July 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) lead at the U.S. Mission to the European Union and the regional counterterrorism coordinator/acting political-military chief at U.S. Embassy Ankara. hannah previously served in Riyadh, Istanbul, and Tripoli, in addition to working on Lebanon policy and Iraq humanitarian issues from Washington. She joined the Foreign Service in 2007 after receiving a BA and an MA in Islamic history at Washington University in St. Louis. A native of Arkansas, hannah is a first-generation college graduate who cares deeply about broadening access to federal careers and advancement for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. She speaks Spanish, Arabic, and Turkish well enough to order street food in several countries without offending anyone. hannah lives in Washington, D.C., with her spouse, Eric, and their children, Charlie and Sam, as well as a cantankerous cat named Poyraz and two inherited (and entitled) dachshunds, Turk and Guinness. STEPHANIE STRAFACE STATE REPRESENTATIVE Stephanie Straface has deep experience in public diplomacy and strategic communications. A proud 2013 Pickering Fellow and International Career Advancement Program alum, she has served in both domestic and overseas assignments, advancing U.S. foreign policy through media engagement and cultural diplomacy. Stephanie is committed to advocating for entry- and mid-level officers, amplifying the voices of underrepresented employees, and pushing for more inclusive, transparent policies across the Foreign Service. She holds an MA in diplomacy from Seton Hall University, a BA in international relations from the University of Central Florida, and a certificate in Women’s Leadership from WASHU@Brookings. A mother of three, Stephanie is currently pursuing a second master’s degree, in education. She believes in the power of storytelling, equity, and public service to drive lasting institutional change. DONALD EMERICK STATE REPRESENTATIVE Donald “Donny” Emerick recently joined the Bureau of International Organization Affairs Office of United Nations Political Affairs (IO/UNP) as a United Nations General Assembly coordinator, bringing extensive management expertise across several bureaus. Before assuming this role, he served as deputy director of the Watch and supervisory general services officer (GSO) in the Office of the Executive Director of the INR, supporting the interagency intelligence demands related to the Israel/Gaza conflict. His career includes supporting the Ukraine crisis response, reopening the embassy in Kyiv, and supporting missions in Poland and Moldova as post management officer in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR-IO/EX). He also shared his procurement expertise as a GSO instructor at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). Donny’s overseas tours include Hermosillo, Managua, and Buenos Aires (Argentina), as well as consular service in Kraków. Throughout his career, he has developed specialized experience in crisis management, visit logistics, and multilateral summit coordination. A Vienna, Virginia, resident, Donny lives with his wife, Heather, an FSI training facilitator, and their three teenage daughters. His home’s intentional proximity to the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center fulfills his passion for experiencing live music performances whenever possible. CONNOR FERRY-SMITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE Connor Ferry-Smith is a first-tour construction engineer who joined the State Department in April 2023. He was posted in Merida, where he served as the construction manager on the New Consulate Compound. He returned to Washington, D.C., in summer 2025 to work in the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations as a construction executive for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. He is thrilled to be the first entry-level professional elected to the AFSA Governing Board. Connor is passionate about collective bargaining, labor rights, and labor relations. He is proud to be part of a historical federal employee union and excited to be taking a role in leadership. He plans to focus on member engagement, first- and second-tour professional issues, and specialist issues. He was at post with his wife who was fortunate to be able to telework. They are delighted to have a new son who was born while they were in Mexico.
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