Preceded by Alexander Arvizu | Spouse(s) Paul Boyd | |
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Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is a diplomat and United States Ambassador to Fiji. She is also concurrently the ambassador to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while resident in Suva, Fiji. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2014. Her term began January 5, 2015.
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Early life and education
Cefkin was born in Colorado to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin. She grew up in Ft. Collins, where he father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University. Cefkin attended Smith College, where she earned a B.A. in Government in 1975. She then studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning a master's degree in International Relations in 1977.
Career
After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer. She worked as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C. and also worked in the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress.
In 1983 Cefkin embarked on a career in the Foreign Service. Her assignments have included ones in Thailand, France, Mexico and The Philippines. She served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
Personal life
Cefkin is married to Paul Boyd, a foreign service officer who has also served as a police officer and member of the U.S Special Forces. In addition to English she speaks French, Thai, Bosnian and Spanish.