Highlights: Amb. (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch on Diplomacy

CARLY KABOT: Amb. (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch spoke about the future of diplomacy and the importance of integrity in public service during her acceptance of the Trainor Award at Georgetown University on Wednesday. 

The speech marked her first major public appearance since testifying in President Trump’s impeachment hearing. She inspired students to act according to the principles she embodies: courage, integrity, and a commitment to public service. Here are two major takeaways from the event, hosted by The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy and the Trustees of the Trainor Endowment. 

Serving the American People

Throughout her speech, Yovanovitch stressed that there is “nothing more gratifying than working for the American people” to make the world more prosperous, democratic, and secure. Growing up with parents who fled Europe after WWII, she was raised to believe in “the idea of America.” That the government served the people instilled in her parents a responsibility to contribute to society, a duty Yovanovitch is grateful they passed on. When called upon to speak truth to power, she never strayed from the values she was taught to live by. 

Reflecting on her journey, she shared that she returned to her high school dream of becoming a foreign service officer when the United States invaded Grenada. In 1986, she joined the State Department, where she would serve with dignity, intelligence, and humility for over thirty years under six presidents. Though she faced difficult times while overseas from Armenia to Kyrgyzstan to Ukraine, Yovanovitch remained resilient, resourceful, and committed to the best interest of the nation. 

The Path Forward 

In an era of rapidly changing paradigms, Yovanovitch affirmed the need to approach new challenges— including terrorism, nativism, disinformation, and globalization— with creativity, flexibility, and a sound moral compass. As rising powers threaten norms, principles and “creating relationships of trust are more important than ever.” 

Yovanovitch made clear that, in these trying times, empowering diplomats to do their job is imperative. On discussing the shrinking budget of the State Department and the growing power of the military establishment, she expressed concern. She said the State Department is in “deep trouble” due in part to President Trump’s "amoral, keep 'em guessing foreign policy.” She reminded the audience of the efficacy the “quiet work of diplomacy” has to build relationships founded upon trust, rule of law, and consistency. Without a strong commitment to principles and a clear moral vision, Yovanovitch fears our allies may abandon us.

“Our international institutions need a reboot, not the boot," Yovanovitch said. She highlighted the importance of training foreign service officers in culture, geography, and history— a fundamental issue when budget and election cycles define timelines— and advocated for greater flexibility, creativity, and innovation in diplomacy. 

When discussing the need for leaders to support calculated risks. Regarding the need to face change head-on, she asserted that “throwing up our hands a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Yovanovitch repeated that the only way for us to make “our community, our country, our world, the place we want it to be” is to do it ourselves. The next generation of American leaders must be ready and willing to do exactly that. 

All those who spoke at the award ceremony emphasized her immense bravery, infallible courage, and inspiring devotion to her moral convictions. “At a certain point, it becomes harder to do the wrong thing than the right thing,” she said. 

 Carly Kabot is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service from Westchester, New York. She is an aspiring political journalist.