John Hennessey-Niland

John Hennessey-Niland is an American diplomat who served as the United States ambassador to Palau from 2020 to 2022.

Early life and education

Hennessey-Niland received his Bachelor of Arts at Tufts University, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Diplome at France's École nationale d'administration.

Career

Previously he was the Foreign Policy Advisor to United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, and the Political-Economic Chief at the United States Embassy in Suva, Fiji. Other diplomatic assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission and later Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland; Director at the National Security Council for the G-20/G-7; and Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the Embassy of the United States, Islamabad, Pakistan. He presented his credentials on March 6, 2020.

In March 2021, Hennessey-Niland traveled to Taiwan, alongside Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr., who met with President Tsai Ing-wen. This made Hennessey-Niland the first sitting U.S. ambassador to visit Taiwan since the U.S. broke off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979.

After retiring from his role as Ambassador, Hennessey-Niland joined the faculty at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University as a Professor of Practice.

Personal life Hennessey-Niland speaks French and Dutch.

Awards

Hennessey-Niland has received the Department of State Foreign Policy Advisors of the Year Award and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.