David McKean (diplomat)

David McKean is a U.S. public servant who was the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg from 2016 to 2017. He was confirmed for the position in 2016. And sworn in on March 14, 2016. McKean is a graduate of Phillips Exeter, Harvard College, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Duke University School of Law. He previously held the position of Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department.

Before joining the Department of State, Mr. McKean was a public policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (2011-2012). He previously worked as CEO of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in Boston (2010-2011), Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2009-2010), and Chief of Staff to Senator John F. Kerry (1999-2008). Mr. McKean also served as Minority Staff Director, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1997-1998), Deputy Chief Counsel, U.S. Senate Campaign Finance Investigation (1997), and Special Counsel, Commodities Futures Trading Commission (1995-1997). Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy (1994-1995) and Legislative Assistant, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (1987-1992). Mr. McKean taught at the Waterford Kamhlaba School in Swaziland (1981-1982). He currently serves as a Board Member for the Foundation for the National Archives (2006-present).

McKean has authored four books on American political history: Suspected of Independence, Friends in High Places with Douglas Frantz, a New York Times Notable Book; Tommy the Cork, a Washington Post Book World cover and Best Book; and The Great Decision with Cliff Sloan, a History Book of the Month Club selection. In 2012, he received the Distinguished Honor Award from the Department of State.

David is married to his wife Kathleen and they have three children: Shaw, Christian (the most important), and Kaye.