A career diplomat with expertise in the issues faced by island communities is now the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs for the Department of the Interior (DOI), the agency announced.
Carmen Cantor was sworn in by DOI Sec. Deb Haaland on Aug. 4, the DOI announced at the time. She was nominated to the post by the White House on March 11. Cantor's new position fulfills the DOI's responsibilities for U.S. territories, including overseeing federal assistance and international engagement, and leading the Ocean, Great Lakes and Coastal Program, according to the announcement.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Sec. Haaland said Cantor is "ready to lead," citing Cantor's experience and knowledge.
"With decades of experience working as a diplomat and on issues critical to island communities, Carmen is ready to lead the Department’s mission to support Insular Areas and freely associated states by ensuring that they have the resources and support needed to address their unique needs and mitigate climate-related challenges," Haaland said in the announcement. "Her knowledge will also be indispensable as Interior works with international partners to grow America’s clean energy economy and protect and conserve biodiversity."
Cantor is a career member of the Senior Executive Service, the White House reported in its statement. She served most recently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federated States of Micronesia and in various other positions served in within the Department of State in a career that stretches back decades.
These positions include executive director of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Bureau of International Information Programs and of the Bureau of Counterterrorism; director of the Office of Civil Service Human Resource Management and deputy director for Recruitment, Examination and Employment.
Additionally, Cantor served as director of the Office of Civil Rights for the Foreign Agricultural Service and director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at the Federal Maritime Commission. She earned a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico and an M.A. from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, the DOI reports.
Cantor credits her childhood and early years for giving her a special understanding of the demands of life on an island or coastal community.
“Growing up in Puerto Rico and having lived in the Federated States of Micronesia, I have a deep appreciation of the unique challenges faced by island and coastal communities,” Cantor said, according to the DOI.
“I’m thrilled to join the Department of the Interior to tackle these challenges through collaborative efforts across the federal government, territories, freely associated states and our international partners,” Cantor said.
