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Join WorldOregon president Derrick Olsen for a candid conversation with Ambassador Harriet Isom (longtime member of WorldOregon's Board of Trustees and Advisors, and former Board Chair) exploring her illustrious 35-year career and the current and future state of diplomacy and global engagement.

Growing up on her family ranch near Pendleton, Isom was a trailblazing pioneer, one of the first wave of women to work as a career foreign service officer, paving the way for future generations. From 1961 to 1996, she was assigned to embassies throughout Asia and Africa. During her last decade in the Foreign Service, she served as U.S. ambassador to Laos, Benin, and Cameroon.

This is wonderful opportunity to hear Ambassador Isom's perspective on the U.S. role in the world and how those who are considering service-minded global careers can best prepare—and to participate in a conversation connecting Oregonians to the world!

Harriet Isom was a career foreign service officer from 1961 to 1996, assigned to embassies in Asia and Africa. During her last decade in the Foreign Service, she served as U.S. ambassador to Laos, Benin, and Cameroon. She grew up on her family ranch near Pendleton, Oregon and earned her BA in history and government in 1958 from Mills College in Oakland, California. She has a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts. Post-Foreign Service, Isom enjoys her life back in Oregon as a “gentlewoman farmer,” writing and speaking on foreign affairs, traveling extensively, and participating in the many volunteer activities available at the local and state level. She has received several awards for Oregon women of distinction.