Ambassador Marcie Berman Ries ’68 Returns to Campus to Share About Life in Diplomacy

On Friday, January 9, Marcie Berman Ries ’68, a Beard School alumna and distinguished American diplomat, spent the day on campus speaking at an All School Meeting and visiting classes across MBS. Ambassador Ries engaged with students throughout the day, offering an inside look at her decades-long career in the U.S. Foreign Service and the many paths that led her there.

Throughout her career, Ambassador Ries served under multiple U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama. She served as U.S. Ambassador to Albania and later as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, and held senior diplomatic and national security roles across the globe. Her work took her to Turkey, Kosovo, Iraq, and throughout Europe, with a particular focus on political-military affairs, arms control, and international security.

During her visit, Ambassador Ries spoke candidly with students about her journey into diplomacy, the responsibilities of representing the United States abroad, and the importance of curiosity, persistence, and service in public life. Students had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and gain a deeper understanding of how global policy decisions are shaped and carried out.

Her visit was made possible through the initiative of Mia Rubin ’26, who connected with Ambassador Ries via LinkedIn and helped bring this meaningful experience to campus.

Thank you to Ambassador Marcie Berman Ries for so generously sharing your time, insight, and inspiration with the MBS community.