Judith Beth Cefkin

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Judith Beth Cefkin
15th United States Ambassador to Fiji
In office
February 3, 2015 – February 25, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byFrankie A. Reed
Succeeded byJoseph Cella
12th United States Ambassador to Kiribati
In office
February 23, 2015 – February 25, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byFrankie A. Reed
Succeeded byJoseph Cella
13th United States Ambassador to Nauru
In office
August 12, 2015 – February 25, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byFrankie A. Reed
Succeeded byJoseph Cella
15th United States Ambassador to Tonga
In office
April 22, 2015 – February 25, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byFrankie A. Reed
Succeeded byJoseph Cella
13th United States Ambassador to Tuvalu
In office
May 12, 2015 – February 25, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byFrankie A. Reed
Succeeded byJoseph Cella
Personal details
Born1953 (age 70–71)
Colorado, U.S.
SpousePaul Boyd
Alma materSmith College
London School of Economics

Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is an American diplomat and former ambassador to five nations in Oceania. She served concurrently as the ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while resident in Suva, Fiji.

Early life and education[edit]

Cefkin was born in New York to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin.[1] She grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where her father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University.[2] Cefkin attended Smith College, where she earned a B.A. in government in 1975. She then studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning a master's degree in International Relations in 1977.

Career[edit]

Ambassador Judith Cefkin speaks as USNS Mercy arrives at Suva Port, Fiji

After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer.[3] She worked as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C. and also worked in the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress.

In 1983 Cefkin embarked on a career in the Foreign Service. Her assignments have included ones in Thailand, France, Mexico and The Philippines. She served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.[4]

She was nominated by President Barack Obama as ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu on July 9, 2014. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2014.[5] She presented her credentials in the five nations between February and August 2015, and served until February 25, 2018.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Cefkin is married to Paul Boyd, a foreign service officer who has also served as a police officer and member of the U.S Special Forces.[7]

In addition to English she speaks French, Thai, Bosnian and Spanish.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rose Cefkin Obituary, Oct 8 2014
  2. ^ U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru: Who Is Judith Cefkin? AllGov, accessed March 28, 2016
  3. ^ New US ambassador visits newsroom The Fiji Times, February 17, 2015
  4. ^ Marines drink cobra blood, eat insects in jungle survival drills in Thailand New York Daily News, February 13, 2012
  5. ^ "PN1841 — Judith Beth Cefkin — Department of State 113th Congress (2013-2014)". US Congress. November 19, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "Judith Beth Cefkin (1953–)". Department of State.
  7. ^ Testimony of Judith B. Cefkin Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu U.S. Senate, September 10, 2014
  8. ^ OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES HER SUCCESSOR JUDITH CEFKIN The Jet Newspaper, November 20, 2014

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Judith Beth Cefkin.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Fiji
2015–2018 		Succeeded by
Michael B. Goldman
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim
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