Name Julie Furuta-Toy | ||
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Succeeding Petra Zabriskie (Acting) Succeeded by Robert Bradtke (Acting) Alma mater University of California, RiversideIndiana University, BloomingtonNational Defense University Education Industrial College of the Armed Forces, University of California, Riverside, Indiana University Bloomington | ||
Julie Furuta-Toy (born 1960) is the U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. Following an initial announcement by President Barack Obama on June 18, 2015, Ambassador Furuta-Toy was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 22, 2015 and subsequently sworn in on November 24, 2015. She arrived in Malabo to take up her duties on January 7, 2016. Prior to her arrival in Equatorial Guinea, Ms. Furuta-Toy served as both Deputy Chief of Mission and chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the United States, Oslo, (2012-2015). Her lengthy tenure as chargé d'affaires stemmed from delays related to the nomination and confirmation of a new ambassador to Norway by the United States Senate.
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Early life and education
Ambassador Furuta-Toy was born in Opelika, Alabama and raised in Riverside, California, and is the daughter of Emi K. Furuta and Tokuji Furuta. She earned a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Riverside in 1981, and credits her liberal arts education and study abroad her final year in the U.K. with sparking her interest in a foreign service career. She also earned a Master's degree in comparative literature from Indiana University and a Master's degree in security studies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Career
Ambassador Furuta-Toy entered the United States Foreign Service in 1986 and has served overseas assignments in the Philippines, Venezuela, Haiti, India, and Russia. She was the Deputy Chief of Mission in She has served domestic assignments in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the Bureau of Human Resources. Her service as a consular officer includes time as Director of the Office of Children's Issues (2007–2009) and Director of the Office of Public and Diplomatic Liaison of the Visa Office (2004–2007). Prior to her arrival in Norway, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana (2009–2012).
Personal
Furuta-Toy is married to Steven M. Toy, a fellow Foreign Service Officer, and they are the parents of two adult children. In addition to English, she speaks Spanish and Russian. Her hobbies include handicrafts, pet care, and listening to the viola.