The State Department’s appointment of Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley as its new chief diversity and inclusion officer represents an important next step toward achieving Secretary Antony Blinken’s goal of building a diplomatic corps that reflects America’s rich diversity.

Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley is an accomplished diplomat who has dedicated her career to advancing equity and inclusion in foreign policy. As co-chair of the Truman Center for National Policy’s task force on Transforming the State Department, she helped forge trailblazing recommendations for modernizing America’s lead foreign-affairs agency based on the principles of rebuilding trust, championing equity, and promoting innovation.

Jenna Ben-Yehuda, President and CEO of the Truman Center for National Policy and Truman National Security Project, applauded Secretary Blinken for appointing Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley to this critical new role.

“Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley is a dedicated champion for diversity in foreign affairs who is both a visionary thinker about the future we must build and who possesses a deep understanding of the bureaucratic structures and practices that have limited progress in the past,” said Ben-Yehuda. “Secretary Blinken’s selection of Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley bespeaks a seriousness of commitment to advancement and change that is commendable. This is a sign that the Department is ready to do the work and Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley is the right woman for the job."

Visit the Truman Center’s website for more information about our State Department task force report, “Transforming State: Pathways to a More Just and Equitable Institution.”