News & Stories

Under Secretary of State Tara Sonenshine to Speak at 2012 SIPA Graduation

Posted Apr 17 2012

SIPA is pleased to announce that Under Secretary of State Tara Sonenshine will deliver the keynote address to SIPA’s graduating class of 2012. The Senate recently confirmed Ms. Sonenshine as Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the division of the State Department that supports foreign policy goals and oversees the United States’ public diplomacy outreach. She was nominated by President Obama in late 2011 and confirmed by the Senate in March 2012.

Ms. Sonenshine has worked extensively both in communications and in government, spending several years in broadcast and print media prior to working with governmental organizations. Before her appointment as Under Secretary, Ms. Sonenshine was the Executive Vice President of the United States Institute of Peace, where she oversaw United States efforts to mitigate ongoing international conflicts in nonviolent ways. Ms. Sonenshine’s career began in media as Editorial Producer of ABC News’ Nightline, and she went on to work as a contributing editor for Newsweek and author articles in the New York Times and Washington Post. She is the recipient of 10 News Emmy Awards.

During her career, Ms. Sonenshine has been the strategic communications advisor to international organizations and served in several capacities within the Clinton Administration. Her unique and thoughtful perspective on how the United States responds to global issues makes Ms. Sonenshine an outstanding voice to send off SIPA’s 2012 graduates. SIPA is honored to introduce her to the next generation of world leaders, SIPA’s class of 2012.