Marcia Bernicat

Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat (born 1953) is an American diplomat who served as the 32nd Director General of the Foreign Service from 2022 to 2025. She is a former United States Ambassador to Bangladesh. She served as Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau from 2008 to 2011. From January 1, 2019, to April 3, 2020, she was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the Department of State.

Early life and education Bernicat was born in 1953. She grew up in Tinton Falls, New Jersey 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. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1980.

Career Bernicat began her career working in a managerial position at Procter & Gamble in Staten Island, New York.

Biden administration On April 15, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Bernicat to serve as the Director General of the Foreign Service. On April 28, 2021, her nomination was sent to the Senate. On September 15, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On October 19, 2021, her nomination was reported favorably out of committee. On May 26, 2022, the United States Senate confirmed her nomination by an 82–10 vote. She began service on May 31, 2022, and was sworn in by Deputy Secretary Brian P. McKeon on June 6, 2022. On January 15, 2025, incoming President Trump asked Bernicat to resign.

Personal life Bernicat speaks French, Hindi and Russian.