When Liz Allen rejoined the Department of State as Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs almost three years ago, it marked her fourth role at the Department, having previously served in positions ranging from intern to director. Today, after traveling to dozens of countries and meeting with countless world leaders, students, advocates, and academics to advance policies and reinvigorate partnerships, she leaves as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
As Under Secretary, Allen has embodied a fundamental truth of public diplomacy: it is central to every foreign policy priority and foundational to U.S. global leadership. This is particularly evident in the approach to the information space where, thanks to Allen’s vision, data-driven, audience-informed public diplomacy and policy solutions are driving global efforts to counter foreign malign influence. Her team’s work includes completing over 20 bilateral agreements to combat information manipulation; launching new people-to-people networks in Latin America, the Pacific, and South and Central Asia; leveraging English language programs; supporting independent media and media literacy; among other initiatives. These efforts have left the country more protected from and resilient to the national security threat of disinformation and foreign malign influence.
Perhaps most importantly, Allen has lived by the principle that "our people are our greatest asset." A tireless advocate for the nearly 5,000-person strong global public diplomacy team, she has equipped and empowered them to navigate an increasingly complex media environment through enhanced training opportunities, emerging technology, and artificial intelligence use. More broadly, she has helped infuse a public diplomacy perspective across the entire workforce.
"Through it all," said a spokesperson for the Department of State's senior leadership team, "Liz has been an indispensable advisor and sounding board to me and so many others across the Department. I am deeply grateful for her leadership."
Allen’s departure marks a significant moment in her long-standing career with the Department of State. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on U.S. public diplomacy efforts worldwide.
