Anne Patterson

Anne Patterson

Ambassador Patterson was the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and North African Affairs at the Department of State (2013-2017). She served as Ambassador to Egypt (2011-2013), to Pakistan (2007-2010), to Colombia (2000-2003) and to El Salvador (1997-2000). She recently retired with the rank of Career Ambassador after more than four decades in the Foreign Service.   Ambassador Patterson also served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, among other assignments. She is currently a senior fellow at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale and a member of the Commission on National Defense Strategy. 

Professional Assignments 

 Assistant Secretary, Middle East and North Africa, Department of State: December, 2013 -January 6, 2017 

 Ambassador to Egypt: August, 2011 – August, 2013 

 Ambassador to Pakistan: June, 2007 – October, 2010 

 Assistant Secretary, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement; November, 2005 – June, 2007 

 Deputy Permanent Representative, US Mission to the United Nations, New York: August, 2004 - November, 2005 

 Deputy Inspector General (fulfilling the duties of the Inspector General): September, 2003 – September, 2004 

 Ambassador to Colombia: July, 2000 – July, 2003 

 Ambassador to El Salvador: June, 1997 – July, 2000 

 Economic posts in Saudi Arabia and Ecuador, Washington assignments in trade policy, intelligence, Interamerican affairs, Arabic, Spanish training: 1973-1997 

Awards 

 Newsweek, 125 Women of Impact, 2013 

 Foreign Policy 100 Global Thinkers, 2011 

 Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award, 2008, 2010, 2017 

 United States Special Operations Command Medal – 2011 

 CIA Directors Award – 2010 

 CIA Donovan Award – 2010 

 Ryan Crocker Award for Expeditionary Diplomacy -2010 

 Presidential Honor Award – 1993 

 Presidential Distinguished Service Award: 2008 

Education 

Wellesley College, BA, 1971, Economics, Cum Laude 

University of North Carolina, graduate school, 1972-3