Ziadeh, Susan Laila, 1951-

Susan Laila Ziadeh (born 1951) is a retired American diplomat. She notably served as U.S. Ambassador to Qatar (2011-2014).

Ziadeh earned a PhD in history from the University of Michigan, an M.A. from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and a B.A. from the University of Washington. She is a 2004 distinguished graduate of the National War College, National Defense University with an M.S. in National Security Strategy.

Ziadeh has enjoyed a 23 year career with the U.S. Department of State where she most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (2014-2016). From May-October 2016, Amb. Ziadeh served as NEA Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. She is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, and served as the U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar from 2011-2014.

She served previously as the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Riyadh, as the Official Spokesperson at U.S. Embassy Baghdad, and as the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Bahrain. Her other overseas postings include Riyadh, Kuwait, Amman, and Jerusalem. In Washington, she was responsible for the Jordan desk, and served as Acting Deputy Director of the Office for Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

A recipient of the Department's Superior Honor Award numerous times, she was awarded the Department of State’s 2007 Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Public Diplomacy. Ambassador Ziadeh was also awarded the Department of State’s 2014 Arnold L. Raphel Memorial Award for Leadership. In 2015, the Secretary of Defense awarded her the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. The Emir of the State of Qatar conferred on Ambassador Ziadeh the Emiri Sash of Merit in 2014 in recognition of her success as Ambassador in strengthening bilateral relations.