Laura Holgate Nominated for UN Vienna Ambassador

In August, Belfer Center alumna Laura Holgate was nominated by President Obama for the position of Ambassador and U.S. Representative to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Laura’s wisdom, talent, and exceptional leadership make her uniquely qualified to serve in this role,” said National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice in announcing the nomination. “Laura has spent her career building and leading global coalitions to prevent states and terrorists from acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction.”

Holgate’s high-level service to the government has spanned more than 14 years, including six years as special assistant to President Obama and her current role as senior director for WMD terrorism and threat reduction on the National Security Council staff. She is also currently the U.S. sherpa for the Nuclear Security Summit, planning and preparing for the 2016 summit in Washington, D.C.

“We are extremely proud of Laura,” said Belfer Center Director Graham Allison. “Her continuing work to help secure nuclear weapons makes all of us safer.”

At the Belfer Center, Holgate served from 1990 to 1992 as staff assistant to then Professor and current U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter.