With the role of the United States undergoing major changes in the conduct of foreign affairs around the world, how do American diplomats adapt and execute their crucial duties abroad? What are the political and cultural imperatives does an American diplomat work under? What are some of the major challenges do diplomats face as they adapt and change during the transitions in the foreign policy?

Julie Kavanagh will answer all these questions and more at our next luncheon. Ms. Kavanagh is the Diplomat in Residence for Texas for the U.S. Department of State in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin. She is responsible for seeking and assisting highly motivated, talented and diverse candidates to join the Department of State through student programs, career opportunities and other employment. She is a career Foreign Service officer, having joined the Department in 1990.

Prior to coming to Texas, Kavanagh was the acting deputy chief of mission of the U.S. Mission to China from January to 2017. She was also minister counselor for consular affairs at the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, responsible for consular operations and policy matters throughout China. She reported directly to the deputy chief of mission and ambassador.

Kavanagh was the minister counselor for consular affairs in Moscow, Russia from 2013 to 2015, where she was responsible for U.S. consular policy matters and consular operations throughout Russia. She also was the U.S. government’s senior officer in charge during the Sochi Olympics. She has served in Taiwan, Singapore, Colombia, China, Brazil and Washington. Kavanagh speaks Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese and rudimentary Russian, and is the recipient of four Superior Honor awards and four Meritorious Honor awards, as well as the 2006 Assistant Secretary’s Award for leadership.

Ms. Kavanagh earned her M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago. Her B.S. in Foreign Service is from Georgetown University.

The buffet luncheon will open at 11:30 AM. Ms. Kavanagh will speak and take questions from the audience from Noon to 1:00 PM. The new price for the luncheon is $40 for members, $50 for non-members and $35 for students and military personnel in uniform with a discount of $10 for early registration that ends at noon on Monday of this event.

Go to our web site, www.WorldAffairsTexas.com to purchase membership and/or lunch registration. You may also pay at the door with cash, check or credit card. To avoid the ticketing fee, and take advantage of the discount, you may send a check to the World Affairs Council of South Texas, 4409 Sue Circle, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410. Please make sure your checks arrive prior to Saturday before the event.

For other information, please contact: Dr. Anantha Babbili, WACST President & CEO, at 361.563.5177 or at ananthasbabbili@yahoo.com

Photos by Noblest Photography