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Joyce Barr

MEMBER SINCE: 2019

Joyce Barr profile headshot
A NAPA Fellow since 2019, I am a retired Foreign Service officer who served as US Ambassador to Namibia as well as Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. State Department before retiring in 2017. During my career I studied Swedish and Russian but have not used either language for many years. In 2018 I was inducted into the National Defense University’s Hall of Fame. I am currently a Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech and a Regent for Pacific Lutheran University. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Diplomacy and the American Foreign Service Protection Association. I am also affiliated with the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Association of Black American Ambassadors and other organizations focused on global affairs, national security and mentoring the next generation of public sector leaders.

History of Employment

Position
Division
Organization
Start
End
Professor of Practice, Government and International Affairs
School of Public and International Affairs, College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
2018
Current
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration
Bureau of Administration
U.S. Department of State
2011
2017
Interim Chancellor/Deputy Commandant/International Affairs Adviser
Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
U.S. Department of State
2009
2011
Executive Director
East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2007
2009
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2004
2007
Management Counselor, US Mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2001
2004
Senior Training (M.S. in National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces)
Foreign Service Institute/National Defense University
U.S. Department of State (On Detail to National Defense University)
2000
2001
Administrative Officer to U.S. Mission Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Bureau of European Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1998
2000
Language Training (Russian)
Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
1997
1998
Senior Watch Officer
Secretariat
U.S. Department of State
1996
1997
Post Management Officer, Executive Office
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1994
1996
Pearson Fellow (to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate)
Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
1993
1994
International Relations Officer (UN World Tourism Organization and UN Industrial Development Organization)
International Organizations Technical, Specialized Agencies
U.S. Department of State
1991
1993
Supervisory General Services Officer, U.S. Mission Khartoum, Sudan
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1989
1991
Mid-Level Training (MPA Harvard University)
Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
1988
1989
Human Rights Officer for the Middle East and South Asia
Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1986
1988
General Services Officer, U.S. Mission Nairobi, Kenya
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1985
1986
Recruitment Officer, Foreign Service Secretaries
Bureau of Personnel
U.S. Department of State
1983
1985
Administrative Specialist (Personnel)
Bureau of European Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1982
1983
Training
Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
1982
1982
Consular Officer, U.S. Mission, Stockholm, Sweden
Bureau of European Affairs
U.S. Department of State
1980
1981
Junior Officer Orientation, Swedish Language Training
Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
1979
1980
Account Analyst (Underwriter and Liaison for Independent Agents)
Casualty Property for Personal Auto and Homeowner's Insurance, Pacific Northwest region
Travelers Insurance Company
1977
1979
Primary Policy Areas

Board Governance, Foreign Policy, Government Operations/Innovation, Intergovernmental System/Federalism, Intergovernmental Affairs and Coordination, National Security

Primary Sector of Expertise

Federal

Primary Functions

Academic Faculty, Change Management, Human Capital, Intergovernmental, Performance Measurement, Strategic Planning

Management Matters Podcast

Grand Challenge: Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context

Diplomacy in a Changing Global Context with Joyce Barr

Season: 1 Episode:33 | December 07, 2020

Show Notes:

In this episode, we welcome Joyce Barr, retired Ambassador, Professor of Practice in Government and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, and Academy Fellow, to discuss the advancement of U.S. national interests across the globe, essential organizations and processes to strive toward those interests and recommendations for the incoming administration including increasing management capacity at the State Department.

With Joyce Barr, retired Ambassador, Professor of Practice in Government and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, and Academy Fellow

Topics Include:

  • A high-level view of U.S. national interests
  • The importance of finding common interests with other countries
  • Essential organizations, processes, and tools the U.S. uses in the international environment
  • The importance of soft power and recommendations for the Biden Administration
  • The importance of public administrators in diplomacy and how we can teach public administrators to have a global perspective
  • Global aspects of city managers or county managers
  • Advice to the new Secretary of State


Music Credits: Sea Breeze by Vlad Gluschenko | https://soundcloud.com/vgl9
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