Powell, Nancy Jo, 1947-

Nancy Jo Powell (born 1947) is a retired American diplomat. She notably served as U.S. Ambassador to five nations, Uganda (1997-1999), Ghana (2001-2002), Pakistan (2002-2004), Nepal (2007-2009), and India (2012-2014), retiring from the Foreign Service after her last ambassadorial posting.

A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Powell earned a B.A. in History and Teaching at the University of Northern Iowa in 1970. From 1970 to 1977, she taught Social Studies at Dayton High School in Dayton, Iowa. She joined the Foreign Service in 1977 in Washington, D.C., as a Refugee Assistance Officer, and began her focus on South Asia with her first overseas assignment as consular officer at the embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 1980 to 1982. She continued as Nepal Desk Officer at the State Department from 1982 to 1984.

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