The Foreign Service Journal, September 2023

AFSA NEWS 70 SEPTEMBER 2023 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA President Concludes Tenure with Outreach As AFSA President Eric Rubin’s tenure drew to a close this summer, he dedicated his efforts to a final outreach tour, furthering awareness of the work of the Foreign Service. On June 12, Ambassador Rubin spoke at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y. alongside six distinguished colleagues as part of AFSA’s long-standing program, “Foreign Policy in Chautauqua with the American Foreign Service.” Addressing the group of 75 adult participants, Rubin shared his thoughts on the state and future of the Foreign Service and provided an overview of AFSA’s role in supporting the institution and the people of the Foreign Service. The presentations drew on the diplomatic careers of Amb. Rubin, Amb. (ret.) James Zumwalt, retired USAID FSO James Bever, FSO Ann DeLong, retired FSO Molly Williamson, retired FSO Jane Zimmerman, and retired Foreign Agricultural Service FSO Philip Shull, who all shared their insights and experiences. Later that day, Rubin spoke to the business community at the World Trade Centers Association in Buffalo, N.Y., where he discussed the importance of diplomacy to international trade and relations as well as significant geopolitical changes over the last decade. The next day, he returned to Washington, D.C., to host the annual chiefs of mission breakfast (see page 53). n The Governing Board met in person at AFSA headquarters. Awards: The board adopted the Awards and Plaques Committee’s recommendations for eight recipients of AFSA’s annual dissent and performance awards and one honorable mention. The full list of award recipients will be announced in the October issue of the FSJ. n AFSA Governing Board Meeting, June 14, 2023 AFSA President Eric Rubin, center, spoke at the Chautauqua Institution in June alongside colleagues (from left) Amb. James Zumwalt, Jane Zimmerman, Philip Shull, James Bever, Ann DeLong, and Molly Williamson. AFSA/NADJA RUZICA AFSA Governing Board Meeting, July 19, 2023 The new Governing Board for the 2023-2025 term met in person at AFSA headquarters. FSJ Editorial Board: The Governing Board voted to appoint Vivian Walker as the new chair of the FSJ Editorial Board, and to appoint Steven Hendrix (USAID), David Bargueño (State), and Dan Spokojny (State alumni) as new Editorial Board members for the 2023-2025 term. Committee Assignments: The board voted to approve the following AFSA committee assignments: Awards and Plaques Committee: Hui Jun Tina Wong (chair), John Naland, Kimberly Harrington, C. Logan Wheeler, Zeke Spears. FSJ Editorial Board Governing Board Liaison: Lynette Behnke. Scholarships Committee: John Naland (chair), Steve Herman, David Josar, Lynette Behnke, John O’Keefe. Governance Committee: Sue Saarnio (chair), Mary Daly, Joshua Burke, Edward Stafford, Randy Chester. Membership Committee: Randy Chester (chair), Joe Ragole, Zeke Spears. Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Committee: Lisa Ahramjian (chair), Jay Carreiro, David Josar, Joshua Burke, Whitney Wiedeman. AFSA-PAC: John O’Keefe (chair), Sue Saarnio. Centennial Committee (ad hoc): John Naland (chair), Hui Jun Tina Wong. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee (ad hoc): Kimberly Harrington (chair), Hui Jun Tina Wong, Christopher Saenger. The board also voted on alternates to succeed Lisa Ahramjian and Steve Herman in 2024 when they leave the Governing Board: Whitney Wiedeman to succeed Steve Herman on the Scholarship Committee. Jay Carreiro to succeed Lisa Ahramjian as LDF Committee chair. C. Logan Wheeler to join the LDF Committee upon Lisa Ahramjian’s departure. n

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