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: Republic of Namibia
CANDIDATE: Lisa A. Johnson
Lisa A. Johnson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Counselor, is currently the Chargé d’ Affaires, U.S. Embassy Nassau, Bahamas, a position she has held since 2014. She is noted for her leadership abilities, crisis management expertise, breadth of experience and communication skills in leading interagency teams. She has demonstrated excellent program management and foreign assistance expertise. Her 25 years of experience at the Departments of State and Defense, National Security Council, and Vice President’s Office qualify her to implement U.S. foreign policy knowledgeably. She is an excellent candidate to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia.
Previously, Ms. Johnson served as Office Director for Africa and the Middle East, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) (2012-2014), Special Advisor, Office of the Vice President (2011-2012), and Deputy Director, Office of Canadian Affairs (2010-2011). Overseas, she served as Deputy Director, Office of the NATO Secretary General, Brussels, Belgium (2007-2009), Deputy Political Advisor, U.S. Mission to NATO (2006-2007), Director, INL Affairs (2005-2006) and Deputy Political Counselor (2004-2005), U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan, and Political and Economic Chief, U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon (2002-2004). She served as Director for the Middle East at the National Security Council (2001-2002). Earlier assignments included Political-Military Officer, Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, Special Assistant to the Special Representative for Implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, and Watch Officer, Operations Center. She also served as Political Officer, U.S. Embassy Pretoria, South Africa, and Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy Luanda, Angola. Before joining the Foreign Service in 1992, Ms. Johnson was a Presidential Management Intern at the Department of the Navy and a Foreign Affairs Analyst at the Congressional Research Service.
Ms. Johnson earned an A.B. from Stanford University in 1989, a M.A. from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in 1991, and a M.S. from the National War College in 2010. She has won numerous State Department performance awards. Her languages are Portuguese and French.