Statemag

05/01/2025

Joshua Parker has had many life changing endeavors while working for the Department of State, including meeting his wife. Joining as a Marine Security Guard in 2009, he now serves in the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology enabling diplomats to effectively communicate worldwide. View Joshua’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/05/0525mas01/

04/23/2025

Working for the perfectly aligns with Bonie Chuang’s desires to continue to grow and make a meaningful impact. As a management analyst, she supports and contributes to data driven decisions that benefit the Department’s workforce and the American public. View Bonie’s at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/04/0425mas01/

04/15/2025

Brian Straight began his federal career with the Department of Defense in 2006, later transitioning to the Department of State in 2011. Between the two agencies he’s spent more than 17 years overseas. Currently as a Foreign Service officer, he brings his experience to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, Ga., strengthening relationships with military and police leadership in the Western Hemisphere. View Brian’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/04/0425mas02/

04/14/2025

The Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) is the U.S. government’s only on-call interagency team that can rapidly respond to critical incidents worldwide to provide specialized assistance to American chiefs of mission. This interagency team ensures American’s safety, and makes the nation and its allies secure and more prosperous. Read about this team in the April 2025 issue of State Magazine:

Members of FEST—from left: Program Manager Shane Holden, Team Lead Christopher Urban, Military Advisor Maj. Tyler Yoder, and Team Lead Palmer Jones–participate in an exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by Renaldo Burt By Christopher Urban  The steady hum of the aircraft’s en...

03/17/2025

Serving in the Peace Corps enlightened Anne Dudte to the impact that she could have by working in the Foreign Service. As the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Conakry, she recognizes the important role that she plays shaping diplomacy while representing American values and interests. View Anne’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/03/0325mas02/

03/03/2025

In February, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his first official trip abroad to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. This selection of countries underscores the importance of increased U.S. attention on Western Hemisphere Affairs to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. More in the March issue of State Magazine.

02/27/2025

After a decade teaching English overseas, Rob Hollister joined the Foreign Service. He served as an economic officer for 13 years before converting to the Civil Service and is currently a senior analyst covering threat finance issues. View Rob’s Making a Statement column at
https://statemag.state.gov/2025/02/0225mas02

02/04/2025

Serving as a Peace Corps volunteer helped steer Marissa Polnerow toward a career in the Foreign Service. Currently on her fourth overseas tour, her work as a public diplomacy officer has taken her to Nepal, Colombia, Kosovo, and now Rwanda where she’s working to enrich the U.S.-Rwandan relationship. View Marissa’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/02/0225mas01/

02/03/2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was sworn in, Jan. 21, addressed Department of State employees on his first day, emphasizing his commitment to a foreign policy that benefits the American people.
His vision for the Department prioritizes American interests above all else. He has pledged to empower the diplomatic corps to advance a foreign policy that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
“I want the Department of State to be at the center of how America engages the world—not just how we execute on it, but on how we formulate it,” he said.

Read more in the February 2025 issue of State Magazine. https://statemag.state.gov/2025/02/0225itn04/

01/15/2025

During her 18 years as a Foreign Service officer, Lillian Wahl-Tuco counts herself lucky to have served in almost all Foreign Service cones. Following her heart toward public diplomacy, she’s currently the deputy director in the Bureau of International Organizations Affairs’ Public Affairs Office working with stakeholders to represent U.S. democracy, and assisting other countries that seek democracy as well. View Lillian’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/01/0125mas02/

01/08/2025

Working in the Department of State has provided Alicia Arendt with countless opportunities and experiences that she never imagined. After 17 years as a public servant, she has visited 60 countries and 35 states all thanks to her career. View Alicia’s Making a Statement column at https://statemag.state.gov/2025/01/0125mas01/

01/07/2025

The January 2025 issue of State Magazine is live! Read it at