Mary Ann Peters
Encyclopedia
Ambassador Mary Ann Peters (born in California in 1951) was United States Ambassador to Bangladesh
from 2000-2003. She became the fourth provost of the United States Naval War College on September 18, 2008.
and a Master’s in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her formal education also included courses at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris through IES Abroad
. She is married to Timothy McMahon, a teacher. They have two children.
as economic counselor; and in Mandalay
as principal officer. From 1988 to 1990, Ambassador Peters was the deputy director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Affairs in the State Department. From 1993 to 1994, Ambassador Peters served as deputy assistant secretary of state with oversight responsibility for U.S. relations with 19 Western European countries and Canada. In this capacity she acted as the U.S. chair of the U.S. – Canada military coordination body, the Permanent Joint Board on Defense
. From 1995 to 1997, Ambassador Peters served in the White House
as Director for European and Canadian Affairs at the National Security Council
. Among other portfolios in this position, Ambassador Peters worked on the diplomatic and security aspects of the search for peace in Northern Ireland. Btewen 1997 and 2000, she was the deputy chief of mission at the United States Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, responsible for the management of the embassy and supervision of the six U.S. consulates general in Canada. From 2000 to 2003, Ambassador Peters served as the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh
, leading the mission’s efforts in support of the war on terrorism and other key U.S. foreign policy goals. She received a Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2003 for her work in Bangladesh. She served as associate director for international liaison in the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
, then became dean of academics at that institution until being appointed to the Naval War College in 2008.
Ambassador Peters is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
and Women in International Security.
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh
The United States Ambassador to Bangladesh is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Bangladesh....
from 2000-2003. She became the fourth provost of the United States Naval War College on September 18, 2008.
Education and Family
Ambassador Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
and a Master’s in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her formal education also included courses at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris through IES Abroad
Institute for the International Education of Students
The Institute for the International Education of Students, or IES Abroad, is a non-profit study abroad organization that administers study abroad programs for U.S. college-aged students. Founded in 1950 as the Institute for European Studies, the organization has since been renamed to reflect...
. She is married to Timothy McMahon, a teacher. They have two children.
Foreign Service Career
Ambassador Peters spent more than 30 years as a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. She began her career as a vice-consul in Frankfurt, Germany in 1975. A senior diplomat, fluent in six foreign languages, Ambassador Peters has also served in Sofia, Bulgaria, as deputy chief of mission; in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
as economic counselor; and in Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
as principal officer. From 1988 to 1990, Ambassador Peters was the deputy director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Affairs in the State Department. From 1993 to 1994, Ambassador Peters served as deputy assistant secretary of state with oversight responsibility for U.S. relations with 19 Western European countries and Canada. In this capacity she acted as the U.S. chair of the U.S. – Canada military coordination body, the Permanent Joint Board on Defense
Permanent Joint Board on Defense
The Permanent Joint Board on Defence was established by Canada and the United States on August 17, 1940 by joint announcement of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King at Ogdensburg, New York as the senior advisory body on continental military defence of...
. From 1995 to 1997, Ambassador Peters served in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
as Director for European and Canadian Affairs at the National Security Council
National Security Council
A National Security Council is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security...
. Among other portfolios in this position, Ambassador Peters worked on the diplomatic and security aspects of the search for peace in Northern Ireland. Btewen 1997 and 2000, she was the deputy chief of mission at the United States Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, responsible for the management of the embassy and supervision of the six U.S. consulates general in Canada. From 2000 to 2003, Ambassador Peters served as the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh
The United States Ambassador to Bangladesh is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Bangladesh....
, leading the mission’s efforts in support of the war on terrorism and other key U.S. foreign policy goals. She received a Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2003 for her work in Bangladesh. She served as associate director for international liaison in the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies is a unique U.S. Department of Defense and German Defense Ministry security and defense studies institute...
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, and the district is on the border with Austria...
, then became dean of academics at that institution until being appointed to the Naval War College in 2008.
Ambassador Peters is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
and Women in International Security.