The American Foreign Service Association proudly announces the recipients of its 2024 Awards for Exemplary Performance, recognizing those who exemplify the dedication, professionalism, and spirit of service within the Foreign Service community. These remarkable individuals will be honored at AFSA's annual awards ceremony on October 16, 2024, at the Department of State.
Nelson B. Delavan Award for an Office Management Specialist
Dana Sutcliffe
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Dana Sutcliffe's innovative spirit transformed collaborative and operational efforts at Embassy Tegucigalpa. Her groundbreaking collaboration tool streamlines interagency communication, accelerates clearance processes, and prioritizes key tasks for Ambassadors and DCMs, moving beyond reliance on email or paper. Her work on Secretary Blinken's Modernization Agenda, showcased at the global OMS conference, underscores her commitment to shaping the "Embassy of the Future." Beyond technical expertise, Dana's leadership fostered a renewed sense of community and high morale, significantly strengthening her team's performance. Her impact extends Department-wide, from talent recruitment and assessment to piloting innovative projects that leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
Diana Trinh - Honorable Mention
Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City
Diana Trinh's exceptional management of the Front Office and a diverse 250-member team, spanning six USG agencies, earns her recognition. She championed community building, DEIA efforts, and mentored 20 first- and second-tour (FAST) officers. Her unwavering dedication, proactive mentorship, and community leadership significantly enhanced Post's effectiveness and morale.
Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy
*Two Palmer Awards are given this year due to an excellent pool of nominees
Paul Estrada
Ukraine Desk Officer
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Paul Estrada's leadership as Desk Officer proved instrumental in advancing democracy in Ukraine during the early days of Russia's ongoing invasion. His ability to unite leadership and stakeholders across the Department, Embassy, and inter-agency helped leverage $22.9 billion in U.S. direct budget support. This support enabled Ukraine not only to defend itself but also to build a more democratic future through critical anti-corruption and governance reforms.
Mark Wilson
Embassy Dakar
Mark Wilson's five years of leadership in Senegal were pivotal in preserving democracy and fostering peace in West Africa. As Director for USAID/Senegal's Democracy, Rights, Governance, and Peace office, he expertly managed a $10M elections program, ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections at local, legislative, and presidential levels. During political unrest, his efforts restored stability and prevented unconstitutional power grabs. Mark's diplomacy and collaboration with key government officials secured additional funding, expanded voter education, and strengthened election transparency.
M. Juanita Guess Award for a Community Liaison Officer
Christophe Paccard & Sherri Zimmerman Embassy Jerusalem and Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv
Christophe Paccard and Sherri Zimmerman provided unwavering support to the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem community during unprecedented challenges following the October 7 attack. Amidst rocket barrages and uncertainty, they ensured clear communication, addressed personal hardships, and alleviated community concerns. As the Authorized Departure (AD) of eligible family members was considered, they worked tirelessly to help ensure the safety and overall security of the community. They organized town halls, coordinated emergency information, and assisted families with departure preparations. Their ongoing support, spanning both post and Washington, DC, provided a lifeline of communication, resources, and advocacy throughout this challenging period.
Avis Bohlen Award for an Eligible Family Member
Cornell Overfield Embassy Bishkek
Cornell Overfield's dedication to animal welfare and community building at Embassy Bishkek is exemplary. Leading a diverse team, he spearheaded a trap-neuter-release initiative for over 150 street cats, addressing the stray population issue. His innovative "Mishek Ui" (Cat Home) project fostered animal welfare and united local groups passionate about civic activism. Cornell's efforts resulted in 32 winterized cat shelters and strengthened civil society networks, building bridges between the Embassy and the local community during a crucial time for Kyrgyzstan.
Award for Achievement and Contributions to the Association
Harry W. Kopp
Harry Kopp has dedicated himself to chronicling the history of the U.S. Foreign Service and AFSA. As the association's "unofficial historian," he meticulously chronicled the stories of diplomacy and the experiences of countless Foreign Service professionals. His book, Voice of the Foreign Service: A History of the American Foreign Service Association, illuminates the achievements, challenges, and legacy of the Foreign Service. Harry also championed the digitization of over 100 years of The Foreign Service Journal, making this invaluable resource accessible globally. His profound knowledge of Foreign Service history has provided invaluable context and insights to AFSA leadership. As a long-serving member of the FSJ Editorial Board, Harry has significantly contributed to the Journal's continued excellence.
Post Representative of the Year Award
Dinah Zeltzer-Winant & Anne Martin-Montgomery
Embassy Bangkok
Anne Martin-Montgomery (State) and Dinah Zeltzer-Winant (USAID) demonstrated exceptional dedication to AFSA's mission by engaging first-and second-tour (FAST) officers from 21 posts at a March 2024 conference in Bangkok. There, they showcased AFSA’s value through presentations, networking, and personal outreach. Anne’s proactive efforts throughout the event, combined with Dinah’s consistent leadership and communication with Washington on member and policy issues, enhanced AFSA's visibility at Embassy Bangkok and across the East Asia and Pacific region and helped to connect FAST officers to needed resources.
AFSA thanks our sponsors and partners for helping to make the Awards Program possible. For further information please email awards@afsa.org.
