Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Gina Kay Abercrombie-Winstanley
Born	1957 Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation	Diplomat
Years active	1985–present
Known for	U.S. ambassador to Malta (2012–2016), chief diversity and inclusion officer at the U.S. Department of State (2021–present)

Gina Kay Abercrombie-Winstanley (born 1957) is a distinguished American diplomat who held the position of U.S. ambassador to Malta between 2012 and 2016. President Barack Obama nominated her, leading to her confirmation on March 29, 2012. She was officially sworn in on April 18 and subsequently presented her credentials to Malta President George Abela on May 2, 2012. On April 12, 2021, she assumed the role of chief diversity and inclusion officer at the United States Department of State.

Early life and education

Gina Kay Abercrombie was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to parents working as a secretary and an attorney. She completed her secondary education at Cleveland Heights High School and participated in an international exchange program in Israel. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University and earned a Master of Arts in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.

Career

Following her academic pursuits, Abercrombie-Winstanley volunteered with the Peace Corps in Oman.

She began her career with the United States Foreign Service in 1985, undertaking assignments in Baghdad, Iraq, and later serving at U.S. embassies located in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Cairo, Egypt. Between 1991 and 1993, she acted as Special Assistant for Middle Eastern and African Affairs to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger. After completing Arabic language training in Tunisia, she worked as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, concentrating on Israel–Palestine relations from 1994 to 1997. Subsequently, she contributed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1997 to 1998.

From 1998 until 2000, Abercrombie-Winstanley served within the United States National Security Council, holding roles such as director for the Arabian Peninsula at the Near East South Asia Center and director of legislative affairs.

She made history as the first female consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, serving from 2002 to 2005. During her tenure, she survived an attack by al-Qaeda on the consulate in December 2004 and earned commendations for bravery throughout the event. Between 2005 and 2006, she led Middle East Area studies at the Foreign Service Institute. Following this, she spent two years as director overseeing Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. From 2008 through 2012, she was deputy coordinator for counterterrorism efforts.

In 2012, Abercrombie-Winstanley was appointed by President Barack Obama as the U.S. ambassador to Malta, a post she maintained from May 2, 2012, until January 26, 2016.

On April 12, 2021, she took office as chief diversity and inclusion officer for the United States Department of State, working under Secretary Antony Blinken.

Personal life

In 1982, Abercrombie-Winstanley married Gerard A. Winstanley. The couple has two grown children.

Honors and awards

Her accolades include Senior Performance Pay along with Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards. She was notably recognized for her courage during the December 2004 al-Qa'ida assault on the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Additional distinctions comprise Foreign Policy for America's Community Leadership Award, recognition as a Peace Corps Woman of Achievement, and Distinguished Alumna honors from both Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University.

External links

• Making It Work: Dialogues with Female Ambassadors – The Foreign Service Journal, July–August 2017
• Leading US Women Diplomats Address Sexual Harassment – VOA, December 1, 2017
• An American in Malta - Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley – MaltaToday, May 14, 2012