Cefkin, Judith Beth, 1953-

<p>Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Fiji. She formerly served concurrently as the ambassador to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while resident in Suva, Fiji. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2014. Her term began January 5, 2015.</p>

<p>Cefkin was born in Colorado to Rose (née Mackanick) and John Leo Cefkin. She grew up in Ft. Collins, where he father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University. Cefkin attended Smith College, where she earned a B.A. in Government in 1975. She then studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning a master's degree in International Relations in 1977.</p>

<p>After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer. She worked as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C. and also worked in the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress.</p>

<p>In 1983 Cefkin embarked on a career in the Foreign Service. Her assignments have included ones in Thailand, France, Mexico and The Philippines. She served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. In addition to English she speaks French, Thai, Bosnian and Spanish.</p>