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 in residence in Suva, Fiji.
Early life and education Cefkin was born in New York to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin.Rose Cefkin Obituary, Oct 8 2014 She grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where her father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University.U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru: Who Is Judith Cefkin? AllGov, accessed March 28, 2016 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
After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer.New US ambassador visits newsroom The Fiji Times, February 17, 2015 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.Marines drink cobra blood, eat insects in jungle survival drills in Thailand New York Daily News, February 13, 2012
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. She presented her credentials in the five nations between February and August 2015, and served until February 25, 2018.
Personal life 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.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
In addition to English she speaks French, Thai, Bosnian and Spanish.OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES HER SUCCESSOR JUDITH CEFKIN The Jet Newspaper, November 20, 2014
References
External links
U.S. Embassy - Fiji U.S. Embassy Mission Leaders - Fiji U.S. Department of State Biography