The World Affairs Council of Orange County and the American Foreign Service Association are proud to present:
100 Years of the Foreign Service: How It Serves the American People
Thomas K. Yazdgerdi
President, American Foreign Service Association
The U.S. Foreign Service, which turned 100 in May 2024, plays a crucial role in advancing American diplomacy and protecting U.S. interests abroad. Today, its importance is greater than ever, as it navigates complex global challenges, fosters international cooperation, and ensures the safety and prosperity of American citizens and allies around the world.
Date & Time:
Monday, October 7, 2024
6:00-8:00 pm
Location:
Richard Nixon Library
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92866
Tickets:
Free for all WACOC Members and their guests
Registration is required (limited availability)
Speaker Bio:
Thomas K. Yazdgerdi
President, American Foreign Service Association
Former Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Department of State
A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Tom Yazdgerdi served from 2019 to 2023 as the AFSA
State VP and is proud of the many wins that AFSA has gotten for our members. AFSA, the union and professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service, was born on the same day as the U.S. Foreign Service.
Mr. Yazdgerdi has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Foreign Service. Prior to serving as AFSA President, he was special envoy for Holocaust Issues at the Department of State. In addition to his serve as as director of the Office of South Central European Affairs, political counselor at U.S. Embassy Kabul, head of U.S. Consulate Kirkuk, and deputy political counselor for Iran affairs at U.S. Embassy Baghdad. He also served as deputy chief of mission and political-economic chief at U.S. Embassy Pristina during the run-up to and aftermath of Kosovo independence.
Before joining the Foreign Service in 1991, Mr. Yazdgerdi worked on Capitol Hill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell University and a master’s degree in Central European history, security studies, and American diplomatic history from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. He speaks Dari, Farsi, Spanish, and Greek and has competency in Czech and Slovak. His interests include piano, tennis, reading, and hiking.
