First chief diversity officer leaves State Department.

State Department’s First Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Bids Farewell

The State Department bid farewell to its first chief diversity and inclusion officer on Tuesday, ending Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley’s 30 years with the department.

Thank You, Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley

Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Abercrombie-Winstanley, whom he appointed to the position in 2021, in a statement announcing her departure. “The only way to ensure our foreign policy delivers for the American people is to recruit and retain a workforce that truly reflects the American people,” Blinken said. “Thanks to Gina’s leadership, the Department has made significant progress to live up to our commitment to create a more inclusive workplace.”

Efforts to Address Minority Representation in Government

Abercrombie-Winstanley’s appointment as chief of diversity and inclusion was part of the Biden administration’s effort to address minority representation in the government. During the Trump administration, only five of the 189 ambassadors he appointed were black. However, a history of discrimination in the department allegedly predated the Trump administration.

Integral Role in Creating the Department’s Five-Year Plan

Blinken credited Abercrombie-Winstanley with playing an “integral role” in creating the department’s five-year plan on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, which he claims “sets the stage for further progress” in DEI programs for the department.

Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley’s Impressive Career

Before her appointment as the department’s first diversity chief, Abercrombie-Winstanley, who has 30 years of experience working in foreign services, served as the deputy coordinator for counterterrorism during the George W. Bush administration. She also served as the ambassador to Malta during the Obama administration from 2012 to 2016.

No Replacement Named Yet

No reason for Abercrombie-Winstanley’s departure was given, and no replacement has been named. The State Department’s efforts to create a more inclusive workplace will undoubtedly continue, and Abercrombie-Winstanley’s contributions will be remembered.

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