William Anthony Kirsopp Lake, known as Tony Lake, is a distinguished American diplomat and political advisor whose career has significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy. Serving as the 17th United States National Security Advisor from 1993 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton, Lake played a pivotal role in developing strategies that contributed to the resolution of the Bosnian War. His expertise in international relations was further recognized when he was appointed as the Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, where he influenced a new generation of diplomats and policymakers.

Lake’s journey in public service began in 1962 when he joined the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. His early career included critical roles during the Vietnam War, where he served as a consul in Saigon and vice consul in Huế. His experience culminated in his position as Director of Policy Planning under President Jimmy Carter, where he was instrumental in shaping U.S. foreign policy during a transformative period in global politics.

After his tenure as National Security Advisor, Lake continued to contribute to international diplomacy as the White House Special Envoy from 1998 to 2000, mediating significant agreements such as the Algiers Agreement that ended the Eritrean-Ethiopian War. His commitment to humanitarian efforts was further exemplified when he was appointed Executive Director of UNICEF in 2010, where he focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged children worldwide until 2017.

Throughout his career, Lake has been a trusted advisor to numerous Democratic presidents and candidates, including Barack Obama, for whom he served as a foreign policy advisor during the 2008 campaign. His extensive experience and dedication to public service have made him a respected figure in American diplomacy, leaving a lasting impact on both national and international stages.