Bernadette Mary Allen (born May 1956)[1] is a retired American career diplomat and former United States Ambassador to the Republic of Niger.
Education
Born in Washington, D.C., Allen was raised in Seat Pleasant, MD, and educated in the Prince George's County public school system. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa in 1978, with a double major in French language and Linguistics. In her study abroad year (1976-1977) with Central College at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, she earned a Certificate in French Language and Culture. Allen completed her Master of Arts degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1989, in Human Resources Management.
Career
Allen was commissioned into the U.S. diplomatic service in January 1980. She held assignments in Burundi (1980-1982), The Philippines (1982-1984), The People's Republic of China (1991-1994), and Canada (2000-2005). Her domestic assignments at the U.S. Department of State included the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of African Affairs, the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, and the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. President George W. Bush nominated her to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 16, 2006. Subsequently, Allen served for ten years on the Foreign Service Grievance Board (2013-2023).
