It’s been a challenging year, the Department of State and its diplomats often finding themselves sidelined and starved for resources. Ambassador Barbara Stephenson will discuss the importance of fully deploying the Foreign Service so they can do their work on behalf of the United States—at our 273 embassies and consulates around the world. Stephenson will discuss concrete examples of the important work carried out by American diplomats overseas and lay out the argument that maintaining global leadership through effective diplomacy is the most cost-effective way to keep America secure and prosperous.