On March 6, 2006, Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines.  Among her leadership roles, Kenney coordinated a critical public-private partnership to address the education needs of Filipino child laborers and victims of abusive child labor practices in the Philippines.

Ambassador Kenney, a distinguished senior diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, began her career in 1981 and has served in Jamaica, Switzerland, Argentina, and Ecuador.  Ambassador Kenney also served as the State Department Executive Secretary in Washington D.C. and on the National Security Council at the White House. Immediately prior to her appointment to the Philippines, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador. She is fluent in Spanish, and traveled throughout the country to meet Ecuadorians from all walks of life.  She also oversaw services for American citizens, and promoted U.S. foreign policy goals.

A daughter of a school teacher and a U.S. Military veteran, Kristie Kenney hails from Washington, D.C. She obtained a master’s degree from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University. She is married to the current U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, William R. Brownfield.  In their spare time they travel, hike, play tennis, and spend time with their nieces and nephews. The two share their homes with three cats they rescued from a shelter – Emily, Junior, and Niles.