Ebert-Gray, Catherine, 1955-

<p>Catherine “Cassy” Ebert-Gray (born 1955) is an American diplomat. She served as the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.</p>

<p>Born Catherine Ebert in Appleton, Wisconsin, she lived in Neenah and Menasha, Wisconsin as well as Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan before she graduated from Appleton West High School. She developed an interest in history and the Pacific from her father, a veteran who served on the USS Chanticleer in the Pacific theater. She earned her bachelor's degrees in international relations and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Later she received a master's degree in national resource management from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.</p>

<p>Ebert-Gray began her career as an analyst in the Hawaii State Legislature. In 1988 she joined the United States Foreign Service and subsequently served in several international locations, including Mali, Morocco, Togo, Egypt, Germany, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.</p>

<p>When she was nominated by President Barack Obama to become U.S. Ambassador, she was serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Logistics Management, a role she had held since 2011. On February 11, 2016, Ebert-Gray arrived in Port Moresby after having been confirmed on December 9, 2015 by the United States Senate. Her swearing-in as the U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands took place on January 22, 2016. Her mission ended on November 17, 2019.</p>

<p>She is married to Australian Ian Gray, and they have two children. She speaks both English and French.</p>

<p>Catherine Ebert-Gray (Cassy) is a career Minister-Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service. She was sworn into office as U.S. Ambassador on January 22, 2016.</p>

<p>Prior to her confirmation as Ambassador, she served four years as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics Management and Co-Chair of the Defense - State Executive Steering Group supporting U.S. activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her responsibilities included oversight of the State Department’s global supply chain, acquisition, and contract risk management.</p>

<p>She has served over half of her career in the South Pacific region, starting as an analyst in the Hawaii State Legislature. Since entering the Foreign Service in 1988 she has served in Mali, Morocco, Togo, Egypt, Germany, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. She and her family have immersed themselves in the cultures and history of each nation.</p>

<p>Other tours in Washington have included positions in the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs and South and Central Asian Affairs Bureaus during Operation Desert Shield and the re-opening of embassies in Kabul, Baghdad and Tripoli. She also served as an Analyst in the Center for Administrative Innovation and Director of Overseas Employment in the Bureau of Human Resources.</p>

<p>Throughout her career, Cassy participated in overseas American Chambers of Commerce and volunteered on the boards of international schools. Originally from Wisconsin, she received her bachelor degrees in international relations and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a master’s degree in national resource management from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. She is the recipient of multiple awards and enjoys water sports and playing golf.</p>