Biography

Makila James was nominated for the appointment of United States Ambassador to Swaziland by President Obama. She was confirmed by the Senate on July 31, 2011 and sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland on August 27, 2012. Ambassador James presented her credentials at post on September 20, 2012.

Prior to her nomination, Makila James, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served as the Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs at the Department of State. From 2007 to 2009, she was the Deputy Director of the Office of Southern African Affairs. From 2006 to 2007, she was the principal officer of the consulate general in Juba. Previously, Ms. James was a member of the State Department’s Policy Planning staff from 2003 to 2006. Other positions in Washington include: research fellow at the Georgetown University Institute for the Study of Diplomacy; international relations officer in the Office of International Organization Affairs; desk officer in the Office of West African Affairs; and watch officer at the Operations Center. Overseas assignments include: political officer in Zimbabwe; political/economics officer in Nigeria; and consular officer in Jamaica.

Ms. James received a B.A. from Cornell University, a masters in National Security Studies from the National Defense University, and a J.D. from Columbia University Law School.

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