Laura A. Griesmer

Laura A. Griesmer, Deputy Chief of Mission to the Kyrgyz Republic

Laura Griesmer assumed the post of Deputy Chief of Mission to the Kyrgyz Republic in July 2012.

Ms. Griesmer has served in the Department of State for over 20 years in a variety of policy and leadership positions. Most recently, Ms. Griesmer served as Acting Staff Director of the Office of Rightsizing in the Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing and Innovation (2011) after joining the office as Senior Advisor (2010-2011). Previously, she was Deputy Director for Political Affairs of the Regional Security Affairs Office of the Bureau of African Affairs (2009-2010). Ms. Griesmer served overseas as the Deputy Economic Counselor in Warsaw, Poland (2005-2008), the Economic Counselor in Bucharest, Romania (2001-2004), and the Caspian Region Energy Officer in Baku, Azerbaijan (1999-2001). Prior to those postings she worked in the Office of Nuclear Energy Affairs (1996-1998). In Mexico City (1994-1996) Ms. Griesmer worked in the Environment, Science & Technology Section and the Consular Section. On her first tour in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (1992-1994), she served in the General Services and Consular Sections.

Ms. Griesmer received a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University and holds Master's degrees from National Defense University (Natural Resource Strategy, 2009) and Case Western Reserve University (Business Administration, 1987). Ms. Griesmer has received numerous awards, including Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards from the Department of State. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she worked as an Electrical Engineer and Financial Analyst. Ms. Griesmer speaks Russian, Spanish, Polish and Romanian.