As U.S. ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala under President Bill Clinton and to Guatemala under President George W. Bush, Prudence Bushnell’s diplomatic career occurred amid explosive events, including the unfolding of the Rwandan Genocide and, later, a car bomb attack on the U.S. embassy in Kenya by al-Qaeda agents. A powerful voice, Bushnell attempted to persuade Rwandan military officials to cease the slaughter. Later, she pushed Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi to implement democratic reforms and combat governmental corruption.

Bushnell will visit Princeton University to discuss her career and the state of international diplomacy under the Trump Administration. Her talk, “Diplomacy in the Age of Terrorism,” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 4:30 p.m., in Arthur Lewis Auditorium^*, Robertson Hall.

Bushnell began her career in public service at the U.S. Foreign Service, where she held a series of leadership positions, including deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs (1993-1996), ambassador to the Republics of Kenya (1996-1999) and Guatemala (1999-2002), and dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Service Institute (2002-2005).  Her written works on leadership and terrorism have been published by The New York Times, the Cambridge University Press, and the Foreign Service Journal.

Bushnell currently serves as CEO of Sage Associates, where she works with senior executives to enhance leadership performance. She has received multiple awards, including the Department of Commerce Peace through Commerce Award, the Service to America Career Achievement Medal, and three honorary doctoral degrees. In 2010, she was given the Rising Voice of Woman Award by the International Women’s Associates of Chicago.

Amb. Bushnell is visiting as the School’s 2017 Syngman Rhee 1910 Lecturer.