Michele J. Sison: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(29 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American diplomat}}
{{Short description|American diplomat (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Michele Sison
| name = Michele Sison
|image = Michele Sison official photo.jpg
| image = Michele Sison official photo.jpg
|office = [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs]]
| office = [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs]]
|president = [[Joe Biden]]
| president = [[Joe Biden]]
|term_start = December 21, 2021
| term_start = December 21, 2021
|term_end =
| term_end =
|predecessor = [[Erica Barks-Ruggles]] (acting)
| predecessor = [[Kevin Moley]]
|office1 = [[United States Ambassador to Haiti]]
| successor =
| office1 = [[United States Ambassador to Haiti]]
|president1 = [[Donald Trump]]<br>[[Joe Biden]]
| president1 = [[Donald Trump]]<br>[[Joe Biden]]
|term_start1 = February 21, 2018
| term_start1 = February 21, 2018
|term_end1 = October 28, 2021
| term_end1 = October 9, 2021
|predecessor1 = Peter Mulrean
| predecessor1 = Peter Mulrean
|successor1 = [[Kenneth H. Merten]] (Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.)
| successor1 = [[Kenneth H. Merten]] (Chargé d’Affaires)
|office2 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations]]
| office2 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations]]
|president2 = [[Barack Obama]]<br>[[Donald Trump]]
| president2 = [[Barack Obama]]<br>[[Donald Trump]]
|term_start2 = December 7, 2014
| term_start2 = December 7, 2014
|term_end2 = February 21, 2018
| term_end2 = February 21, 2018
|predecessor2 = [[Rosemary DiCarlo]]
| predecessor2 = [[Rosemary DiCarlo]]
|successor2 = [[Jonathan Cohen (diplomat)|Jonathan Cohen]]
| successor2 = [[Jonathan R. Cohen|Jonathan Cohen]]
|office3 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| office3 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
|president3 = Donald Trump
| president3 = Donald Trump
|term_start3 = January 20, 2017
| term_start3 = January 20, 2017
|term_end3 = January 27, 2017
| term_end3 = January 27, 2017
|predecessor3 = [[Samantha Power]]
| predecessor3 = [[Samantha Power]]
|successor3 = [[Nikki Haley]]
| successor3 = [[Nikki Haley]]
|office4 = [[United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka]]
| office4 = [[United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka]]
|president4 = Barack Obama
| president4 = Barack Obama
|term_start4 = September 14, 2012
| term_start4 = September 14, 2012
|term_end4 = December 6, 2014
| term_end4 = December 6, 2014
|predecessor4 = [[Patricia A. Butenis]]
| predecessor4 = [[Patricia A. Butenis]]
|successor4 = [[Atul Keshap]]
| successor4 = [[Atul Keshap]]
|office5 = [[United States Ambassador to the Maldives]]
| office5 = [[United States Ambassador to the Maldives]]
|president5 = Barack Obama
| president5 = Barack Obama
|term_start5 = September 9, 2012
| term_start5 = September 9, 2012
|term_end5 = December 6, 2014
| term_end5 = December 6, 2014
|predecessor5 = [[Patricia A. Butenis]]
| predecessor5 = [[Patricia A. Butenis]]
|successor5 = [[Atul Keshap]]
| successor5 = [[Atul Keshap]]
|office6 = [[United States Ambassador to Lebanon]]
| office6 = [[United States Ambassador to Lebanon]]
|president6 = [[George W. Bush]]<br>Barack Obama
| president6 = [[George W. Bush]]<br>Barack Obama
|term_start6 = January 25, 2008
| term_start6 = January 25, 2008
|term_end6 = August 9, 2010<br>{{small|Acting: January 25, 2008 – September 4, 2008}}
| term_end6 = August 9, 2010<br>{{small|Acting: January 25, 2008 – September 4, 2008}}
|predecessor6 = [[Jeffrey D. Feltman]]
| predecessor6 = [[Jeffrey D. Feltman]]
|successor6 = [[Maura Connelly]]
| successor6 = [[Maura Connelly]]
|office7 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates]]
| office7 = [[United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates]]
|president7 = George W. Bush
| president7 = George W. Bush
|term_start7 = February 7, 2005
| term_start7 = February 7, 2005
|term_end7 = January 19, 2008
| term_end7 = January 19, 2008
|predecessor7 = [[Marcelle Wahba]]
| predecessor7 = [[Marcelle Wahba]]
|successor7 = Martin Quinn
| successor7 = Martin Quinn
|birth_name = Michele Jeanne Sison
| birth_name = Michele Jeanne Sison
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|5|27}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|5|27}}
|birth_place = [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], [[Virginia]], U.S.<ref>{{cite web |author=AllGov |title=Ambassador to Haiti: Who Is Michele Sison? |accessdate=February 26, 2018 |url=http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/ambassador-to-haiti-who-is-michele-sison-170823?news=860285}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.
|death_date =
| death_date =
|death_place =
| death_place =
|education = [[Wellesley College]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}<br>{{nowrap|[[London School of Economics]]}}
| education = [[Wellesley College]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}<br>{{nowrap|[[London School of Economics]]}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
}}
'''Michele Jeanne Sison''' (born May 27, 1959 in [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], [[Virginia]]) is an American diplomat and career member of the [[Senior Foreign Service]] serving as the [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs|assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs]]. She has previously served in various other diplomatic posts around the world on behalf of the United States, including [[United States Ambassador to Haiti|ambassador to Haiti]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Department of State |title=U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele J. Sison |accessdate=February 22, 2018 |url=https://ht.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/}}</ref> Sison holds the personal rank of [[Career Ambassador]].
'''Michele Jeanne Sison''' (born May 27, 1959)<ref>{{cite web |author=AllGov |title=Ambassador to Haiti: Who Is Michele Sison? |accessdate=February 26, 2018 |url=http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/ambassador-to-haiti-who-is-michele-sison-170823?news=860285}}</ref> is an American diplomat and career member of the [[Senior Foreign Service]] serving as the [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs|assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs]]. She has previously served in various other diplomatic posts around the world on behalf of the United States, including [[United States Ambassador to Haiti|ambassador to Haiti]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Department of State |title=U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele J. Sison |accessdate=February 22, 2018 |url=https://ht.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/}}</ref> Sison holds the personal rank of [[Career Ambassador|career ambassador]].


== Early education and personal life ==
== Early life and education==
Sison earned her [[Bachelor of Arts]] in political science from [[Wellesley College]], and also studied at the [[London School of Economics]]. She has two daughters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/658/000122292/|title=Michele J. Sison}}</ref> Her father is originally from the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgov.com/officials/sison-michele?officialid=29009/|title=AllGov.com}}</ref>
Sison earned her [[Bachelor of Arts|bachelor of arts]] in political science from [[Wellesley College]], and also studied at the [[London School of Economics]].{{cn|date=December 2023}}


== Career ==
== Career ==
[[File:Stephen Rapp in Jaffna.JPG|thumb|left|[[Stephen J. Rapp]], the [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues]], and Michele J. Sison talking with [[E. Saravanapavan]] in [[Jaffna]] on 8 January 2014. Some of the bullet holes and portraits of slain staff are visible on the wall behind them.]]
[[File:Stephen Rapp in Jaffna.JPG|thumb|left|[[Stephen J. Rapp]], the [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues]], and Michele J. Sison talking with [[E. Saravanapavan]] in [[Jaffna]] on 8 January 2014. Some of the bullet holes and portraits of slain staff are visible on the wall behind them.]]


Sison's overseas assignments have included service as Deputy Chief of Mission and [[Chargé d'Affaires]] at the U.S. Embassy in [[Islamabad, Pakistan]] (1999–2002) and as consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in [[Chennai, India]] (1996–1999). She also served at the U.S. Missions in [[Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire]] (1993–1996); [[Douala]], [[Cameroon]] (1991–1993); [[Cotonou, Benin]] (1988–1991); [[Lomé, Togo]] (1984–1988); and [[Port-au-Prince, Haiti]] (1982–1984), as well as in Washington. Ambassador Sison is the recipient of numerous U.S. Department of State awards for exceptional service.
Sison's overseas assignments have included service as deputy chief of mission and [[Chargé d'Affaires|chargé d'affaires]] at the U.S. embassy in [[Islamabad, Pakistan]] (1999–2002) and as consul general at the [[Consulate General of the United States, Chennai|U.S. consulate general]] in [[Chennai, India]] (1996–1999). She also served at the U.S. missions in [[Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire]] (1993–1996); [[Douala]], [[Cameroon]] (1991–1993); [[Cotonou, Benin]] (1988–1991); [[Lomé, Togo]] (1984–1988); and [[Port-au-Prince, Haiti]] (1982–1984), as well as in Washington. Ambassador Sison is the recipient of numerous U.S. Department of State awards for exceptional service.


She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as [[United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates]] on May 6, 2004, and sworn in by U.S. Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]] on July 12, 2004. Prior to her appointment to the UAE, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs, charged with providing broad policy oversight of U.S. relations with [[Pakistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.asianjournal.com/voice-of-fil-america/72-voice-of-fil-america/3365-michele-j-sison-us-ambassador-to-the-united-arab-emirates.html| title=Michele J. Sison: US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates| date=27 October 2009| work=Asian Journal| url-status=dead| access-date=May 11, 2011| archive-date=September 14, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914051724/http://www.asianjournal.com/voice-of-fil-america/72-voice-of-fil-america/3365-michele-j-sison-us-ambassador-to-the-united-arab-emirates.html}}</ref>
She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as [[United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates|United States ambassador to the United Arab Emirates]] on May 6, 2004, and sworn in by Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]] on July 12, 2004. Prior to her appointment to the UAE, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs, charged with providing broad policy oversight of U.S. relations with [[Pakistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.asianjournal.com/voice-of-fil-america/72-voice-of-fil-america/3365-michele-j-sison-us-ambassador-to-the-united-arab-emirates.html| title=Michele J. Sison: US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates| date=27 October 2009| work=Asian Journal| url-status=dead| access-date=May 11, 2011| archive-date=September 14, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914051724/http://www.asianjournal.com/voice-of-fil-america/72-voice-of-fil-america/3365-michele-j-sison-us-ambassador-to-the-united-arab-emirates.html}}</ref>


She also had a short stint as the U.S. [[chargé d'affaires#Types of chargés|Chargés d'affaires a.i.]] in [[Lebanon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/bio.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313055205/http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/bio.html |archive-date=March 13, 2010 |title=Deputy Chief of Mission - Beirut, Lebanon - Embassy of the United States |publisher=United States Department of State, Embassy of the United States in Beirut, Lebanon |url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- see also http://web.archive.org/web/20100527123828/http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/latest_embassy_news/press-releases08/statementpm020608.html --> before her Senate confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon on August 1, 2008. Sison's assignment in Lebanon ended in August 2010.
She also had a short stint as the U.S. [[chargé d'affaires#Types of chargés|Chargés d'affaires a.i.]] in [[Lebanon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/bio.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313055205/http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/bio.html |archive-date=March 13, 2010 |title=Deputy Chief of Mission - Beirut, Lebanon - Embassy of the United States |publisher=United States Department of State, Embassy of the United States in Beirut, Lebanon |url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- see also http://web.archive.org/web/20100527123828/http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/latest_embassy_news/press-releases08/statementpm020608.html --> before her Senate confirmation as [[U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon]] on August 1, 2008. Sison's assignment in Lebanon ended in August 2010.


She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 29, 2012, as U.S. Ambassador to [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[Maldives]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613142750/http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |archive-date=2011-06-13 }} Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Embassy of the United States, Sri Lanka and Maldives</ref>
She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 29, 2012, as [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Sri Lanka and the Maldives|U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |title=Ambassador &#124; Embassy of the United States Sri Lanka and the Maldives |access-date=2010-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613142750/http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |archive-date=2011-06-13 }} Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Embassy of the United States, Sri Lanka and Maldives</ref>


On July 8, 2014, President [[Barack Obama]] announced the nomination of Sison as Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and Deputy Representative of the United States in the Security Council of the United Nations.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/07/08/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |publisher=The White House, Office of the Press Secretary |date=July 8, 2014 }}</ref> She was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on November 19, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=Domani Spero |url=https://diplopundit.net/2014/11/20/senate-confirmations-1119-cormack-mustard-miller-cefkin-yamate-sison/ |website=Diplopundit |title=Senate Confirmations 11/19: Cormack, Mustard, Miller, Cefkin, Yamate, Sison |date=November 20, 2014}}</ref>
On July 8, 2014, President [[Barack Obama]] announced the nomination of Sison as [[List of ambassadors of the United States to the United Nations#List of Deputy Ambassadors|Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations]], with the rank of Ambassador, and Deputy Representative of the United States in the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council of the United Nations]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/07/08/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |publisher=The White House, Office of the Press Secretary |date=July 8, 2014 }}</ref> She was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on November 19, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=Domani Spero |url=https://diplopundit.net/2014/11/20/senate-confirmations-1119-cormack-mustard-miller-cefkin-yamate-sison/ |website=Diplopundit |title=Senate Confirmations 11/19: Cormack, Mustard, Miller, Cefkin, Yamate, Sison |date=November 20, 2014}}</ref>


===Ambassador to Haiti===
===Ambassador to Haiti===
Line 80: Line 82:
[[File:Secretary Kerry and Ambassador Power Participate in the High-Level Ministerial on Libya at the UN in New York City (21266168424).jpg|left|thumb|Sison at the United Nations with [[John Kerry]] and [[Samantha Power]].]]
[[File:Secretary Kerry and Ambassador Power Participate in the High-Level Ministerial on Libya at the UN in New York City (21266168424).jpg|left|thumb|Sison at the United Nations with [[John Kerry]] and [[Samantha Power]].]]
{{Update|section|date=August 2018}}
{{Update|section|date=August 2018}}
On November 2, 2017, she was confirmed by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] to serve as the [[United States Ambassador to Haiti]], having been nominated by U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web |author=United States Senate |title=PN834 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=December 23, 2017 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/834}}</ref> Among the major issues facing her in her role were navigating a response by the United Nations to victims of a [[2010 Haiti cholera outbreak|cholera epidemic]] the organization started in October 2010. She was also confronted with the U.S. government's decision on whether or not to extend [[Temporary Protected Status]] to Haitian immigrants who were in the U.S. at the time of the massive [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake in Port-au-Prince]] in January 2010.
On November 2, 2017, she was confirmed by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] to serve as the [[United States Ambassador to Haiti]], having been nominated by U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web |author=United States Senate |title=PN834 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=December 23, 2017 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/834}}</ref> Among the major issues facing her in her role were navigating a response by the United Nations to victims of a [[2010 Haiti cholera outbreak|cholera epidemic]] the organization started in October 2010. She was also confronted with the U.S. government's decision on whether or not to extend [[Temporary Protected Status]] to Haitian immigrants who were in the U.S. at the time of the massive [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake in Port-au-Prince]] in January 2010.


In 2018, Sison was promoted to the personal rank of [[Career Ambassador]], the highest personal rank in the Senior Foreign Service, given for exceptionally distinguished service over a prolonged period of time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pompeo |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Pompeo |title=Secretary Pompeo on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1040337640162250753 |access-date=13 September 2018 |work=Twitter |date=13 September 2018 |quote=Today marks a proud moment for the @StateDept . Four of our finest diplomats have been conferred by @POTUS as Career Ambassadors—the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. Congratulations, Philip Goldberg, David Hale, Michele Sison & Dan Smith on this high honor. Much deserved!}}</ref>
In 2018, Sison was promoted to the personal rank of [[Career Ambassador]], the highest personal rank in the Senior Foreign Service, given for exceptionally distinguished service over a prolonged period of time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pompeo |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Pompeo |title=Secretary Pompeo on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1040337640162250753 |access-date=13 September 2018 |work=Twitter |date=13 September 2018 |quote=Today marks a proud moment for the @StateDept . Four of our finest diplomats have been conferred by @POTUS as Career Ambassadors—the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. Congratulations, Philip Goldberg, David Hale, Michele Sison & Dan Smith on this high honor. Much deserved!}}</ref>


Sison left the post in October 2021, and was succeeded by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., [[Kenneth H. Merten]].
Sison left the post on October 9, 2021, and was succeeded by [[Chargé d'affaires|Chargé d’Affaires]], a.i., [[Kenneth H. Merten]].<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Zo-Info Plus|user=ZoomInfoPlusHT|number=1447486312441958400|title=La mission diplomatique de Michèle J. Sison qui a débutée en février 2018 en Haïti a pris fin ce 9 oct.|language=fr|access-date=2022-01-02}}</ref>


===Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs===
===Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs===


On April 15, 2021, Sison was nominated by [[Joe Biden|President Biden]] to serve as [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs]]. Sison's nomination was reported favorably on June 24, 2021, by the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate's Foreign Relations Committee]]. She was confirmed to the position by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on December 18, 2021 by voice vote,<ref>{{cite web |title=PN384 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/384?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22sison%22%2C%22sison%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 |website=US Congress |access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref> and she was sworn in on December 21, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/biographies/michele-j-sison/|title=Michele J. Sison|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2021-12-21}}</ref>
On April 15, 2021, Sison was nominated by [[Joe Biden|President Biden]] to serve as [[Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs]]. Sison's nomination was reported favorably on June 24, 2021, by the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate's Foreign Relations Committee]]. She was confirmed to the position by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on December 18, 2021, by voice vote,<ref>{{cite web |title=PN384 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/384?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22sison%22%2C%22sison%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 |website=US Congress |date = December 18, 2021|access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref> and she was sworn in on December 21, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/biographies/michele-j-sison/|title=Michele J. Sison|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2021-12-21}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Sison speaks fluent [[French language|French]] and basic [[Haitian Creole]] and [[Arabic]]. She has two daughters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nndb.com/people/658/000122292/|title=Michele J. Sison|website=www.nndb.com}}</ref> Her father is originally from the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgov.com/officials/sison-michele?officialid=29009/|title=AllGov - Officials|website=www.allgov.com}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 96: Line 101:
{{Commons category|Michele J. Sison}}
{{Commons category|Michele J. Sison}}
*[https://ht.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ Michele J. Sison Biography at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti]
*[https://ht.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ Michele J. Sison Biography at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti]
*{{C-SPAN|Michele Sison}}
*{{C-SPAN|66098}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
Line 116: Line 121:
{{s-bef|before=[[Rosemary DiCarlo]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Rosemary DiCarlo]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations|years=2014–2018}}
{{s-ttl|title=United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations|years=2014–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jonathan Cohen (diplomat)|Jonathan Cohen]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jonathan R. Cohen|Jonathan Cohen]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Samantha Power]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Samantha Power]]}}
Line 124: Line 129:
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Mulrean]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Mulrean]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Ambassador to Haiti]]|years=2018–2021}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Ambassador to Haiti]]|years=2018–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Kenneth H. Merten]]<br>{{small|Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.}}}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Kenneth H. Merten]]<br>{{small|Chargé d’Affaires}}}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{USUNambassadors}}
{{US Ambassador to Haiti}}
{{US Ambassador to Haiti}}
{{Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs}}
{{Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs}}
Line 133: Line 139:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sison, Michele J.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sison, Michele J.}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American diplomats]]
⚫
[[Category:21st-century American women]]
⚫
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Haiti]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Lebanon]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Lebanon]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to the United Arab Emirates]]
⚫
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Haiti]]
[[Category:American people of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:American people of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:American diplomats]]
[[Category:American women ambassadors]]
[[Category:Biden administration personnel]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Arlington County, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Arlington County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Permanent Representatives of the United States to the United Nations]]
[[Category:Permanent Representatives of the United States to the United Nations]]
[[Category:Trump administration cabinet members]]
[[Category:Trump administration cabinet members]]
[[Category:Wellesley College alumni]]
[[Category:Wellesley College alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Career Ambassadors]]
[[Category:United States Foreign Service personnel]]
[[Category:United States Foreign Service personnel]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Career Ambassadors]]
[[Category:21st-century American diplomats]]
[[Category:American women ambassadors]]
⚫
[[Category:21st-century American women]]

Latest revision as of 16:39, 17 January 2024

Michele Sison
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
Assumed office
December 21, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byKevin Moley
United States Ambassador to Haiti
In office
February 21, 2018 – October 9, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byPeter Mulrean
Succeeded byKenneth H. Merten (Chargé d’Affaires)
United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations
In office
December 7, 2014 – February 21, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byRosemary DiCarlo
Succeeded byJonathan Cohen
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Acting
In office
January 20, 2017 – January 27, 2017
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded bySamantha Power
Succeeded byNikki Haley
United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka
In office
September 14, 2012 – December 6, 2014
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byPatricia A. Butenis
Succeeded byAtul Keshap
United States Ambassador to the Maldives
In office
September 9, 2012 – December 6, 2014
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byPatricia A. Butenis
Succeeded byAtul Keshap
United States Ambassador to Lebanon
In office
January 25, 2008 – August 9, 2010
Acting: January 25, 2008 – September 4, 2008
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded byJeffrey D. Feltman
Succeeded byMaura Connelly
United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
In office
February 7, 2005 – January 19, 2008
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byMarcelle Wahba
Succeeded byMartin Quinn
Personal details
Born
Michele Jeanne Sison

(1959-05-27) May 27, 1959 (age 64)
Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
EducationWellesley College (BA)
London School of Economics

Michele Jeanne Sison (born May 27, 1959)[1] is an American diplomat and career member of the Senior Foreign Service serving as the assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs. She has previously served in various other diplomatic posts around the world on behalf of the United States, including ambassador to Haiti.[2] Sison holds the personal rank of career ambassador.

Early life and education[edit]

Sison earned her bachelor of arts in political science from Wellesley College, and also studied at the London School of Economics.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Stephen J. Rapp, the United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, and Michele J. Sison talking with E. Saravanapavan in Jaffna on 8 January 2014. Some of the bullet holes and portraits of slain staff are visible on the wall behind them.

Sison's overseas assignments have included service as deputy chief of mission and chargé d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan (1999–2002) and as consul general at the U.S. consulate general in Chennai, India (1996–1999). She also served at the U.S. missions in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (1993–1996); Douala, Cameroon (1991–1993); Cotonou, Benin (1988–1991); Lomé, Togo (1984–1988); and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (1982–1984), as well as in Washington. Ambassador Sison is the recipient of numerous U.S. Department of State awards for exceptional service.

She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as United States ambassador to the United Arab Emirates on May 6, 2004, and sworn in by Secretary of State Colin Powell on July 12, 2004. Prior to her appointment to the UAE, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs, charged with providing broad policy oversight of U.S. relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.[3]

She also had a short stint as the U.S. Chargés d'affaires a.i. in Lebanon,[4] before her Senate confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon on August 1, 2008. Sison's assignment in Lebanon ended in August 2010.

She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 29, 2012, as U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.[5]

On July 8, 2014, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Sison as Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and Deputy Representative of the United States in the Security Council of the United Nations.[6] She was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on November 19, 2014.[7]

Ambassador to Haiti[edit]

Sison at the United Nations with John Kerry and Samantha Power.

On November 2, 2017, she was confirmed by the Senate to serve as the United States Ambassador to Haiti, having been nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump.[8] Among the major issues facing her in her role were navigating a response by the United Nations to victims of a cholera epidemic the organization started in October 2010. She was also confronted with the U.S. government's decision on whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status to Haitian immigrants who were in the U.S. at the time of the massive earthquake in Port-au-Prince in January 2010.

In 2018, Sison was promoted to the personal rank of Career Ambassador, the highest personal rank in the Senior Foreign Service, given for exceptionally distinguished service over a prolonged period of time.[9]

Sison left the post on October 9, 2021, and was succeeded by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Kenneth H. Merten.[10]

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs[edit]

On April 15, 2021, Sison was nominated by President Biden to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. Sison's nomination was reported favorably on June 24, 2021, by the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. She was confirmed to the position by the Senate on December 18, 2021, by voice vote,[11] and she was sworn in on December 21, 2021.[12]

Personal life[edit]

Sison speaks fluent French and basic Haitian Creole and Arabic. She has two daughters.[13] Her father is originally from the Philippines.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ AllGov. "Ambassador to Haiti: Who Is Michele Sison?". Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  2. ^ Department of State. "U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele J. Sison". Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Michele J. Sison: US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates". Asian Journal. October 27, 2009. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  4. ^ "Deputy Chief of Mission - Beirut, Lebanon - Embassy of the United States". United States Department of State, Embassy of the United States in Beirut, Lebanon. Archived from the original on March 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "Ambassador | Embassy of the United States Sri Lanka and the Maldives". Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2010. Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Embassy of the United States, Sri Lanka and Maldives
  6. ^ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts" (Press release). The White House, Office of the Press Secretary. July 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Domani Spero (November 20, 2014). "Senate Confirmations 11/19: Cormack, Mustard, Miller, Cefkin, Yamate, Sison". Diplopundit.
  8. ^ United States Senate (November 2, 2017). "PN834 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State". Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  9. ^ Pompeo, Michael (September 13, 2018). "Secretary Pompeo on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved September 13, 2018. Today marks a proud moment for the @StateDept . Four of our finest diplomats have been conferred by @POTUS as Career Ambassadors—the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. Congratulations, Philip Goldberg, David Hale, Michele Sison & Dan Smith on this high honor. Much deserved!
  10. ^ Zo-Info Plus [@ZoomInfoPlusHT] (October 11, 2021). "La mission diplomatique de Michèle J. Sison qui a débutée en février 2018 en Haïti a pris fin ce 9 oct" (Tweet) (in French). Retrieved January 2, 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "PN384 — Michele Jeanne Sison — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. December 18, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Michele J. Sison". United States Department of State. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Michele J. Sison". www.nndb.com.
  14. ^ "AllGov - Officials". www.allgov.com.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michele J. Sison.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Lebanon
2008–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka
2012–2014 		Succeeded by
United States Ambassador to the Maldives
2012–2014
Preceded by United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations
2014–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Acting
2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Haiti
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
Kenneth H. Merten
Chargé d’Affaires
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michele_J._Sison&oldid=1196474162"