Laura E. Kennedy

Laura Elizabeth Kennedy (born 1951) is a retired United States career diplomat, who has served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, U.S. Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

After retirement in 2013, she was recalled to service in 2014 to serve as Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan and then the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna (UNVIE), leaving government again in 2015. She is active lecturing and commenting on foreign affairs, arms control and U.S. politics. She serves on the boards of Foreign Policy for America and the Arms Control Association. She is a member of the Szilard Advisory Board of the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, the Deep Cuts Commission, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and the Leadership Council for Women in National Security.

Early life and education Kennedy was born in Coronado, California to a Navy family. She graduated from Falls Church High School and Vassar College of the American women's college. She studied Indonesian language at Cornell and the University of Wisconsin before earning an M.A. from American University in Washington D.C. She spent a sabbatical year at Stanford University 1982–83. She was previously awarded the Distinguished Honor Award and numerous Merit and Superior Honor Awards by the State Department. She is a founding board member of Foreign Policy 4 America and also serves on the board of the Arms Control Association. She is a commentator on foreign affairs and arms control. She has served as expert on “Silk Road” journeys for the New York Times and the Smithsonian Institution.

Personal life Kennedy is married to former U.S. diplomat John J. Feeney and is the mother of two children.