Marcia Bernicat's term ended on Sept. 30, 2021.
Marcia Stephens Bernicat, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, was most recently Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) until September 2021.
Ambassador Bernicat also served as Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment (E) from January-August 2021. She had served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for E and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the OES Bureau from 2019-2021. She was Ambassador to Bangladesh from 2015-2018 and to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau from 2008-2011. Previously, Ms. Bernicat was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Human Resources, a position she held from 2012-2015. Domestically she served in the Department of State as Office Director for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs from 2006 to 2008; and from 2004 to 2006 as the Senior-Level Director and Career Development Officer in the Bureau of Human Resources. Ms. Bernicat has served twice as Deputy Chief of Mission - at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados from 2001 to 2004, and in Lilongwe, Malawi from 1998 to 2001. She was Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco from 1995 to 1998, Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 1992 to 1995, and Desk Officer for Nepal and India in the Bureau of Near East and South Asian Affairs from 1988 to 1990.
Earlier in her career, Ambassador Bernicat was Special Assistant to Deputy Secretary of State John Whitehead, Watch Officer in the Department’s Operations Center, Consular Officer in Marseille, France, and Political/Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali. She is the recipient of the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award and numerous other Department awards.
A native of New Jersey, Marcia Bernicat received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lafayette College and a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service by Lafayette College in 2018. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms. Bernicat gained private sector managerial experience with the Procter and Gamble Manufacturing Company on Staten Island, New York. Her languages are French, Hindi and Russian. Equally challenging and rewarding, Ms. Bernicat has raised two sons in the Foreign Service.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
