Dana Shell Smith

Updated on Sep 30, 2024

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President Barack Obama Preceded by Susan Ziadeh		Spouse(s) Ray Smith Name Dana Smith


Alma mater University of California, San Diego Education University of California, San Diego Profiles Twitter

Ambassador dana shell smith on us qatar relations

Dana Shell Smith (born 1970) is a former American diplomat and career Foreign Service Officer who served as the United States Ambassador to Qatar from July 2014 to June 2017. She was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar on July 10, 2014. Previously, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2014 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media.

U.S apologizes to Qatar for video of laughing soldiers

Early life and education

In 1992, she graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a bachelor's degree in political science and Middle East studies.

Career

Dana Shell Smith Dana Shell Smith Photos Photos Ajyal Youth Film Festival 2014

Smith presented her credentials to Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on September 8, 2014. Smith was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar on July 10, 2014. Previously, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2014 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media. On June 13, 2017 Smith announced that she would be resigning her post later that month.

Prior to her assignments in the Bureau of Public Affairs, Smith was the State Department's Regional Arabic Language Spokesperson in Dubai. She served in a number of positions including as Senior Advisor to the Director General and overseas tours of duty in Taipei, Amman, Tel Aviv/Gaza, and Cairo.