Earlier this month, the La Follette School of Public Affairs hosted Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield for a series of events promoting civil discourse, diplomacy, and policy. Through class and student visits, meetings with campus leaders, an alumni and friends reception, a public presentation, and an event with WisPolitics and Wisconsin Women in Government, the ambassador shared lessons and experiences from her impressive career in the U.S. government. A UW–Madison alum, the ambassador has served in many distinguished positions under both Republican and Democratic administrations including as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and most recently as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
During her visit, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield discussed the biggest challenges facing international diplomacy, the extensive negotiations that go into any one agreement, maintaining nonpartisanship in a polarized world, how her values have guided her work in public service, and much more.
In a discussion with La Follette graduate students and a visit to Assistant Professor Miriam Gregoire-Zawilski’s PA 200 Contemporary Public Policy Issues class, the ambassador shared her insights on global diplomacy, international relations, and issues shaping our world. Students asked insightful questions about applying their degrees to public service work.
Alumni and friends of the La Follette School then gathered for the school’s annual alumni reception at Memorial Union. Representing the Paul Offner Lecture Series, Molly Collins Offner gave remarks during the reception and announced Stephen Webster as the recipient of the 2025 Alumni of Distinction Award. Webster’s impressive career includes 25 years as Executive Director of the United Way of Wisconsin, and establishing Employment Resources Inc., a non-profit dedicated to reducing barriers to employment.
In the evening, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield joined La Follette School Director Susan Webb Yackee for a moderated conversation titled The Art of Diplomacy in the Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall. Having begun her career serving in many “hardship posts,” the ambassador said that she learned quickly how to embrace the uncomfortable. The discussion also touched on the need for allies, prioritizing humanitarian crises in Africa, and how her dedication to helping people kept her passionate about public policy throughout her career.
Shortly after the presentation began, the discussion was temporarily disrupted by protesters in attendance, and Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield tried to engage the protesters in conversation. After the event, the ambassador sat down with one of the protesters to listen to their perspective and the two had a civil conversation. The interaction was a real-world demonstration of the importance of diplomacy and talking across differences.
The ambassador concluded her trip with a small group question-and-answer session over breakfast with WisPolitics and Wisconsin Women in Government at the Madison Club. The event was moderated by WisPolitics president Jeff Mayers.
Watch this video to see some highlights from the ambassador’s visit.
– Story by MPA student Grace Florence