Colleen Graffy

In September 2005, Colleen Graffy assumed duties as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, overseeing public diplomacy and public affairs programs for the Bureau and coordinating efforts with the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. During her tenure, Ms. Graffy became the first diplomat to utilize Twitter and actively promoted ‘Public Diplomacy 2.0’ across various social media platforms.

government ‘media hub,’ featuring radio and television broadcasting facilities in Brussels, Belgium, while also addressing controversial topics related to Guantanamo. Prior to her distinguished diplomatic service, Ms. Graffy built an extensive legal and academic foundation in the United Kingdom, where she resided for nearly 20 years. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales as a Barrister of the Middle Temple, where she continues to serve as a Bencher.

Her legal education included obtaining a Diploma in Law, attending the Inns of Court School of Law, and earning an LLM (with Merit) from King’s College, University of London. Academically, she held the position of Academic Director and Associate Professor of Law at the London Law Program for Pepperdine University School of Law. In this role, she oversaw the London Moot and Clinical Program and taught International Public Law, International Environmental Law, International Law and the Use of Force, and Legal Ethics. Following her impactful diplomatic role, Ms.

Ms. Graffy’s career demonstrates a unique blend of high-level government service, rigorous legal practice, and dedicated academic leadership, making her a compelling voice in international law and public diplomacy.