National Academy of Public Administration National Academy of Public Administration
Joyce Barr
Senior Fellow

Amb. Joyce Barr

Member Since 2026

Biography

A NAPA Fellow since 2019, I am a retired Foreign Service officer who served as US Ambassador to Namibia as well as Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. State Department before retiring in 2017. During my career I studied Swedish and Russian but have not used either language for many years. In 2018 I was inducted into the National Defense University’s Hall of Fame. I am currently a Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech and a Regent for Pacific Lutheran University. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Diplomacy and the American Foreign Service Protection Association. I am also affiliated with the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Association of Black American Ambassadors and other organizations focused on global affairs, national security and mentoring the next generation of public sector leaders.

History of Employment

Position Division Organization Start End
Professor of Practice, Government and International Affairs School of Public and International Affairs, College of Architecture and Urban Studies Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 2018 Current
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration Bureau of Administration U.S. Department of State 2011 2017
Interim Chancellor/Deputy Commandant/International Affairs Adviser Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University U.S. Department of State 2009 2011
Executive Director East Asian and Pacific Affairs U.S. Department of State 2007 2009
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia Bureau of African Affairs U.S. Department of State 2004 2007
Management Counselor, US Mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs U.S. Department of State 2001 2004
Senior Training (M.S. in National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces) Foreign Service Institute/National Defense University U.S. Department of State (On Detail to National Defense University) 2000 2001
Administrative Officer to U.S. Mission Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Bureau of European Affairs U.S. Department of State 1998 2000
Consular Officer, U.S. Mission, Stockholm, Sweden Bureau of European Affairs U.S. Department of State 1980 1981
Junior Officer Orientation, Swedish Language Training Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State 1979 1980
Recruitment Officer, Foreign Service Secretaries Bureau of Personnel U.S. Department of State 1983 1985
Administrative Specialist (Personnel) Bureau of European Affairs U.S. Department of State 1982 1983
Training Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State 1982 1982
Mid-Level Training (MPA Harvard University) Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State 1988 1989
Human Rights Officer for the Middle East and South Asia Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs U.S. Department of State 1986 1988
General Services Officer, U.S. Mission Nairobi, Kenya Bureau of African Affairs U.S. Department of State 1985 1986
Pearson Fellow (to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate) Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State 1993 1994
International Relations Officer (UN World Tourism Organization and UN Industrial Development Organization) International Organizations Technical, Specialized Agencies U.S. Department of State 1991 1993
Supervisory General Services Officer, U.S. Mission Khartoum, Sudan Bureau of African Affairs U.S. Department of State 1989 1991
Language Training (Russian) Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State 1997 1998
Post Management Officer, Executive Office Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs U.S. Department of State 1994 1996
Senior Watch Officer Secretariat U.S. Department of State 1996 1997
Account Analyst (Underwriter and Liaison for Independent Agents) Casualty Property for Personal Auto and Homeowner's Insurance, Pacific Northwest region Travelers Insurance Company 1977 1979

Expertise

Primary Sector

Federal

Primary Functions

Academic Faculty Change Management Human Capital Intergovernmental Performance Measurement Strategic Planning

Contact

Website
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