REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of
Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service
Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Kingdom of Lesotho
CANDIDATE: Rebecca Eliza Gonzales
Rebecca Eliza Gonzales, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is currently the Chief of Staff, Bureau of Administration, Department of State, a position she has held since 2016. Noted for her breadth of leadership and management skills, she won praise for her tenure as the NEA Deputy Executive Director, skillfully overseeing a portfolio that includes a budget of $600 million, 17 embassies, eight consulates, and several high-threat posts. These abilities, in addition to her experience at senior levels of diplomacy, deep knowledge of the region and its challenges, superior leadership of the interagency process, and exemplary communication skills, make her an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Previously, Ms. Gonzales served as Deputy Executive Director, Bureau of Near East Affairs, Department of State (2013-2016), Deputy Management Counselor, American Embassy Pretoria, South Africa (2010-2013), Management Officer, American Embassy Gaborone, Botswana (2006-2009) and Special Assistant, Office of the Under Secretary for Management, Department of State (2005-2006). She was also Post Management Officer, Bureau of Near East Affairs, Department of State (2004-2005), Supervisory General Services Officer, American Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2002-2004), Financial Management Officer, American Embassy New Delhi, India (2000-2002), General Services Officer, American Embassy Bogota, Colombia (1997-1999), Management/Consular Officer, American Embassy Athens, Greece (1995-1997) and Special Assistant/Economic/ Consular Officer, American Embassy Panama City, Panama (1992-1994). Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms. Gonzales worked as a paralegal specialist and secretarial assistant in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Gonzales earned a M.S. from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. in 2010, a M.B.A. (in 1992) and a B.A. (in 1984) from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She is the recipient of eight notable senior State Department awards. She speaks Spanish and Greek.