The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2018 79 AFSA NEWS Telling the Foreign Service Story AFSA AWARD FOR ACH I EVEMENT AND CONTR I BUT I ONS TO THE ASSOC I AT I ON PATRICIA A. BUTENIS AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS Ambassador Patricia “Pat” Butenis is honored for her work to bring AFSA’s out- reach efforts to a new level, beginning with her leader- ship on this issue during her time on the AFSA Governing Board in 2015 and continu- ing into retirement in her home community in New Jersey. She is a tireless advocate for the importance of telling the Foreign Service story—and few do it better. After a distinguished career that included serving as ambassador to Bangla- desh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Amb. Butenis retired in 2015 with the rank of Career Minister and stepped forward to serve on the 2015-2017 AFSA Govern- ing Board. As a member of the board, she took an immedi- ate and active interest in shaping the future of AFSA outreach to retirees. Work- ing with fellow board mem- bers and members of AFSA’s professional staff, she pushed reforms to the asso- ciation’s Speakers Bureau, advocated for additional resources in retiree engage- ment and outreach, and led the way in the early devel- opment of talking points, briefing materials and other resources for those engaged in telling the Foreign Service story across the country. She was instrumental in ensuring that outreach became a strategic pil- lar for the association, emphasizing the need to speak specifically to retiree members and equip them to become effective advocates on behalf of the U.S. Foreign Service and diplomacy. Amb. Butenis herself has been tireless in her personal outreach efforts. A resident of southern New Jersey, she has met with countless schools and universities in Trenton, Philadelphia and other municipalities. She has demonstrated in action what she envisions for her fellow AFSA retiree members, educating students, other retir- ees and her neighbors about what diplomats do and why it matters. During a 34-year career, Amb. Butenis served as dean of the School of Professional and Area Studies in the Foreign Service Institute. She was ambas- sador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 2009 to 2012, deputy chief of mission in Baghdad (2007-2009) and ambassador to Bangladesh (2006-2007). She also served in Islam- abad, Karachi, San Salvador and New Delhi; worked on the El Salvador desk; attended the National War College; served as director of field operations in the Visa Office in the Bureau of Consular Affairs; and was consul general in Warsaw and Bogotá. She received the Baker- Wilkins Award as the outstanding deputy chief of mission for her service in Iraq, the Presidential Rank Award and various State Department Honor Awards. Raised in New Jersey, Amb. Butenis received a bachelor’s degree in anthro- pology from the University of Pennsylvania and a mas- ter’s degree in international relations from Columbia University. She is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and DACOR, and is an honorary mem- ber of the Delta Phi Epsilon professional foreign affairs sorority. She currently serves as a trustee of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and on the Environmental Commis- sion of Waterford Town- ship, Camden County, New Jersey. n AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson celebrates with Ambassador (ret.) Pat Butenis. COURTESYOFPATRICIABUTENIS AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA