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Name: Kenney, Kristie
Current Position: Former Ambassador
Kristie Kenney was appointed .U.S. ambassador to Thailand by President Barack Obama in July 2010, and was confirmed on September 29, 2010.
Kenney gained early exposure to U.S. government service as a tour guide for the US Capitol, an intern at the House of Representatives, and a Senate page.
She earned a Masters degree in Latin American Studies from Tulane University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Clemson University.
Between college and her ambassadorships, Kenney held a variety of roles including Economic Counselor at the United States Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, Economic Officer at the US Embassy in Argentina, and Consular officer at the US Embassy in Jamaica. She was also Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
Prior to her assignment to Thailand, she served as ambassador to Ecuador and the Philippines. She was a popular US ambassador to the Philippines. Upon learning that she would not be ambassador anymore, Kenney updated her Facebook status saying “Heart broken to think of leaving the Philippines but know it is time for me to plan to return to be with my family. Calling on my FB friends to help me not be sad but to enjoy and savor my remaining months in this lovely country.”
Kenney is the first female US Ambassador to Thailand. She speaks Spanish and French. Her husband is William Brownfield, who has served as ambassador to Colombia, Chile, and Venezuela.
