Carol J. Thompson joined the Department of State on February 13, 2006. Ms. Thompson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. In this capacity, Ms. Thompson oversees health issues, public diplomacy and public affairs efforts, and Southern African Affairs for the Bureau of African Affairs within the U.S. Department of State.

Prior to joining the Department of State, Ms. Thompson served as the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) at the White House. In doing so, she spearheaded the United States’ government’s response to both domestic and international HIV/AIDS issues, coordinating policy across federal agencies. Ms. Thompson joined ONAP in November 2002, as Deputy Director; in that role, Ms. Thompson, participated in the development and implementation of President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, commonly called PEPFAR. This program is closely aligned with the Bureau of African Affairs, as 12 of the 15 PEPFAR "focus countries" are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms. Thompson has an extensive record of public service. In 2001, she joined the Office of the Chief of Staff at the White House, having previously worked on health care and trade policy issues at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative respectively. Ms. Thompson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.