Lisa Kubiske

Biographical Information

"On April 14, President Obama announced the nomination of Lisa Kubiske as the new ambassador to Honduras. It seems surprising that a diplomat with no previous ambassador level positions would be named to Honduras, currently an extremely sensitive nation in US foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere.

"But a closer look reveals the interests behind the nomination: biofuels. Also, her recent experience in Santo Domingo and Brazil may also be helpful in promoting the reintegration of Honduras to the OAS."

Lisa Kubiske is a United States diplomat with experience in Latin America, China/Hong Kong, and Washington, DC. She was formerly the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Mission in Brazil.

"Earlier assignments include service as Western Hemisphere Economics Director at the State Department; Deputy Chief of Mission in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Officer in the State Department’s Operations Center and Secretariat Staff; Investment Director and Negotiator at the United States Trade Representative’s Office (USTR); chief of the Economic-Political Section at the United States Consulate General in Hong Kong; and additional work in Shanghai, China and in Mexico, DF, Mexico.

"She was awarded the State Department’s highest honor, a Valor Award, for her coordination of U.S. search teams following the major Mexican earthquakes of September 1985. She has earned other awards as well, including a Superior Honor Award for her work as DCM in Santo Domingo and, most recently, Superior Honor awards for her participation in the public outreach campaign on behalf of the United States-Peru Free Trade Agreement and her efforts on behalf of the United States-Brazil biofuels cooperation.

"Ms. Kubiske holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Brandeis University and a Masters of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) degree from Georgetown University. She spent her undergraduate junior year abroad at Universidad La Catolica in Lima, Peru."