MaryKay Carlson

MaryKay Loss Carlson is an American diplomat who has served as the United States ambassador to the Philippines since 2022. She was previously the United States chargé d'affaires in Argentina[1] from 2021 to 2022, after having served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in the country from September 2019.[2]

MaryKay Carlson
United States Ambassador to the Philippines
Assumed office
July 22, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded bySung Kim
United States Chargé d’affaires in Argentina
In office
January 20, 2021 – January 24, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byEdward C. Prado
Succeeded byMarc Stanley
Personal details
BornLittle Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
SpouseAubrey Carlson
Children2
Alma mater
OccupationDiplomat

Early life and education

Carlson graduated from Rhodes College in 1985 with a degree in Spanish and international studies before pursuing an M.A. in international relations from Georgetown University and M.S. in national security strategy from the National War College.[3]

Career
Carlson with then-Secretary Rex Tillerson in New Delhi.

Carlson is a career member of the Foreign Service, serving since 1985.[4] She holds the rank of Minister-Counselor. Carlson worked at the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi, India[5] as the Deputy Chief of Mission for three years and Chargé d'affaires for two years.[2] She has also served at U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China (twice), Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Consulate General in Hong Kong, Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique, Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She had also served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her domestic assignments include director of the Secretary's Executive Secretariat Staff and deputy director of Korean Affairs.[4]

United States ambassador to the Philippines

On February 4, 2022, President Joe Biden intended to nominate Carlson to serve as US Ambassador to the Philippines.[6] Hearings were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 7, 2022. The committee favorably reported the nomination to the Senate floor on May 4, 2022. Carlson was confirmed by the entire Senate via voice vote on May 5, 2022.[7] Carlson was sworn in on May 26, 2022.[8] She presented her credentials to Philippine president Bongbong Marcos on July 22, 2022.[9]

Awards and recognitions

Carlson has received numerous performance awards, including six Superior Honor Awards.[6]

Personal life

Carlson is married to retired Foreign Service officer Aubrey Carlson, and they have two daughters.[4] She is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and speaks Spanish and Chinese.

References
  1. de 2021, Por Silvia Mercado4 de Febrero. "La nueva encargada de la embajada de los Estados Unidos fue recibida por el vicecanciller". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  2. "Chargé d'affaires MaryKay Carlson". US Embassy in Argentina. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. Swan, Gaye (August 8, 2019). "MaryKay Carlson Charts an Unexpected Path Around the Globe". Rhodes News. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  4. "Deputy Chief of Mission MaryKay Carlson". U.S. Embassy in Argentina. Archived from the original on 2020-06-15.
  5. "US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission MaryKay Loss Carlson bids adieu to Delhi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  6. "President Biden Announces 3 Key Nominees". The White House. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. "PN1766 — MaryKay Loss Carlson — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  8. Antonio, Raymund (May 26, 2022). "New US envoy to PH MaryKay Carlson sworn in". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  9. Mercado, Neil Arwin (July 22, 2022). "Bongbong Marcos, new US envoy discuss economy, food security". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
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