Ben East
McLean,VA
Summary
Diplomat with 25 years' global expertise leading diverse communications teams to influence foreign and domestic public opinion toward the United States and U.S. government policy. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Published author.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Foreign Service Officer
U.S. Department of State
06.2002 - Current
- Worldwide diplomatic deployment leading large teams to promote U.S. security, commercial, political, and social interests.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive outreach plan in India to attract a 12% uptick in Indian students seeking full-time enrollment on U.S. campuses, a cohort that contributes roughly $8 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Foreign Service Candidate Assessor
DOS Board of Examiners
08.2023 - Current
- Reform selection process to recruit & hire U.S diplomats according to fair, transparent principles.
- In 2023, hired more Foreign Service personnel with proven skills to lead America's foreign policy than during any single year in the past decade.
Senior Research Fellow
Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training
09.2022 - 08.2023
- Developed book-length narrative featuring returned Peace Corps Volunteers who served as U.S. ambassadors navigating moments of historic crisis targeting an audience of international affairs students and workers as well as the quarter million returned Peace Corps Volunteers.
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Consulate General
07.2018 - 07.2022
- Influenced key audiences across India through written products incorporating data, policy, and narrative in live remarks, media placements, video scripts, and podcasts.
- Led 200 local employees in major staffing overhaul to align Mission efforts with modern outreach concepts and strategies.
Public Affairs Policy Coordinator
DOS Bureau of African Affairs
07.2016 - 07.2018
- Shaped U.S. Government interagency policy, messaging, and programs to counter violent extremism through judicious coordination of $6 million in funding annually, resulting in innovative projects such as a partnership with Sesame Workshop to bring messages of tolerance into thousands of homes in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Public Opinion Pollster and Analyst
DOS Intelligence and Research Bureau
07.2013 - 07.2016
- Designed, contracted, & analyzed nationally-representative polls & focus groups abroad.
- Synthesized data with all-source intelligence for the president’s daily brief and other products.
Embassy Press Officer
Accra Ghana and Mexico City
07.2007 - 07.2013
- Coordinated public messaging and media relations for two dozen U.S. Government agencies; liaised with White House on multiple POTUS visits; briefed senior officials on media landscape.
Cultural Attaché
U.S. Embassy Managua, Nicaragua
11.2005 - 09.2007
- Promoted democratic culture and values amid rising authoritarianism during and immediately after contentious national election.
Vice Consul
U.S. Consulate General
06.2003 - 05.2005
- Provided emergency services for U.S. citizens and applied U.S. law and security protocols as non-immigrant visa chief.
High School English Teacher
American School of Asuncion
06.2000 - 06.2002
Volunteer (English Teacher)
Peace Corps
09.1996 - 12.1998
Education
MSEd - Secondary English
University of New Haven
New Haven, CTSkills
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Management
- Intelligence and Security Analysis
- Staff Development
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Program Monitoring and Evaluation
- Writing and Editing
- Creative Services
Accomplishments
2024 Peace Corps Writers' Marian Haley Beil Award for Best Book Review.
2022 State Department Superior Honor Award for leadership and innovation.
Two commercial novels published: 2016 and 2018.
Shortlisted for the 2014 Dundee International Book Prize.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certification.
Timeline
Foreign Service Candidate Assessor
DOS Board of Examiners
08.2023 - Current
Senior Research Fellow
Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training
09.2022 - 08.2023
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Consulate General
07.2018 - 07.2022
Public Affairs Policy Coordinator
DOS Bureau of African Affairs
07.2016 - 07.2018
Public Opinion Pollster and Analyst
DOS Intelligence and Research Bureau
07.2013 - 07.2016
Embassy Press Officer
Accra Ghana and Mexico City
07.2007 - 07.2013
Cultural Attaché
U.S. Embassy Managua, Nicaragua
11.2005 - 09.2007
Vice Consul
U.S. Consulate General
06.2003 - 05.2005
Foreign Service Officer
U.S. Department of State
06.2002 - Current
High School English Teacher
American School of Asuncion
06.2000 - 06.2002
Volunteer (English Teacher)
Peace Corps
09.1996 - 12.1998
MSEd - Secondary English
University of New Haven
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