Bernicat, Marcia Stephens Bloom, 1953-

<p>Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat (born 1953) is a US diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Bangladesh. She was nominated by President Obama May 2014 and confirmed by the Senate on November 18, 2014. She served as Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau from 2008-2011. Since January 1, 2019, she has been Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.</p>

<p>Bernicat was born in 1953 and grew up in Tinton Falls, N.J. and graduated from Monmouth Regional High School. In 1975 she earned a B.A. from Lafayette College, where she majored in history. Through work with her mentor and thesis advisor, she became particularly interested in the League of Nations and the relationship between the United States and the United Nations. She earned an M.S. from Georgetown University in 1980.</p>

<p>Bernicat began her career working in a managerial position at Procter & Gamble in Staten Island, NY.</p>

<p>In 1982, Bernicat began her career as a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. embassy in Bamako, the capital of Mali. She served as consular officer at the U.S. consulate general in Marseille, France from 1984 to 1986. From 1986 to 1989 she held position in the U.S., but successive moves after that had her assigned in India, Morocco, Malawi and Barbados. From 2006 to 2008 she was office director for several Asian countries. In that role she was engaged in negotiations to supply India with non-military nuclear materials. She was nominated by George W. Bush in 2008 to be U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.</p>

<p>From 2012 to 2014 Bernicat served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. In 2014 she was nominated and confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh. She spoke with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Bangladesh, noting that it is the eighth largest country in the world by population and third largest Muslim majority nation. Bangladesh, she observed, is known for traditions that are moderate and pluralistic.</p>

<p>In addition to English, Bernicat speaks French, Hindi and Russian. She is married to Olivier Bernicat and they have two children.</p>

<p>Marcia Bernicat, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is currently Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.</p>

<p>Ambassador Bernicat served as Ambassador to Bangladesh from 2015-2018 and to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau from 2008-2011. Previously she was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Human Resources, a position she held from 2012-2015. Domestically she served in the Department of State as Office Director for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs from 2006 to 2008; and from 2004 to 2006 as the Senior-Level Director and Career Development Officer in the Bureau of Human Resources. Ms. Bernicat was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados from 2001 to 2004, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi from 1998 to 2001. She was Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco from 1995 to 1998, Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 1992 to 1995, and Desk Officer for Nepal and India in the Bureau of Near East and South Asian Affairs from 1988 to 1990.</p>

<p>Earlier in her career, Ambassador Bernicat was Special Assistant to Deputy Secretary of State John Whitehead, Watch Officer in the Department’s Operations Center, Consular Officer in Marseille, France, and Political/Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali. She is the recipient of the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award and numerous other Department awards.</p>

<p>A native of New Jersey, Marcia Bernicat received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lafayette College and a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. In 2018 she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service by Lafayette College. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms. Bernicat gained private sector managerial experience working for the Procter and Gamble Manufacturing Company on Staten Island, New York. Her languages are French, Hindi and Russian.</p>