Speaker Information

Global Issues 2012

Molly Williamson

Molly Williamson is a retired Foreign Service Officer with the rank of Career Minister. She was assigned in March 2005 to the Department of Energy as the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary. In 2004-2005, Williamson served as interim ambassador in Bahrain. She was also assigned to special projects regarding Israel/Palestine, Iraq, and the United Nations. From 1999-2004, Williamson was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce responsible for the Middle East, South Asia, Oceania and Africa, advancing trade relations with 86 countries and with a trade portfolio valued at over $120 billion/year.

Between 1996-1999, Williamson was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, International Organizations Bureau, responsible for the policy and programs affecting U.N. political and Security Council matters, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. From 1993-95, Williamson was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense responsible for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

She had numerous postings in the Middle East, including Chief of Mission and Consul General in Jerusalem during the Madrid Peace Process (1991-93). Molly Williamson, a native of California, has won numerous awards for her diplomatic achievements. She has studied both Hebrew and Arabic.