Dana Shell Smith

Dana Shell Smith (born 1970) is an American diplomat and career Foreign Service Officer currently serving as the United States Ambassador to Qatar. She was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar on July 10, 2014. Previously, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2014 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media.

Early life and education

In 1992, she graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a bachelor's degree in political science and Middle East studies.

Career

Smith presented her credentials to Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on September 8, 2014. Smith was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar on July 10, 2014. Previously, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2014 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media.

Prior to her assignments in the Bureau of Public Affairs, Smith was the State Department's Regional Arabic Language Spokesperson in Dubai. She served in a number of positions including as Senior Advisor to the Director General and overseas tours of duty in Taipei, Amman, Tel Aviv/Gaza, and Cairo.

Personal life

Smith speaks Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Hebrew. She is married to Diplomatic Security Officer Ray Smith and they have two children.

Publications

"How to Have an Insanely Demanding Job and 2 Happy Children," The Atlantic, 27 June 2012, http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/06/how-to-have-an-insanely-demanding-job-and-2-happy-children/259006/

"US-Qatar Relations: Realizing the Full Potential of a Growing Strategic Partnership," The Ambassadors Review, Spring 2015, https://www.americanambassadors.org/publications/ambassadors-review/spring-2015/us-qatar-relations-realizing-the-full-potential-of-a-growing-strategic-partnership