Diplomacy Matters Slate +
Vote for Diplomacy Matters: Protecting Our Future, Defending Our Rights
In uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we stand united to protect the interests of our members and the Foreign Service. The Diplomacy Matters slate is committed to defending the values and rights that have long been the bedrock of our profession, with a clear focus on five key priorities: protecting and defending our members, preserving the Foreign Service, safeguarding collective bargaining rights, conserving retiree pensions and benefits, and strengthening outreach and advocacy.
The current threat to our collective bargaining rights, from recent executive orders, is not just an attack on our ability to negotiate – it’s a direct assault on the foundation of a strong, effective, non-partisan Foreign Service. Our slate is unwavering in our commitment to defending this crucial right, working tirelessly to ensure that every Foreign Service officer’s voice is heard and respected.
We are acutely aware of the looming threats to the federal workforce, including reductions in force. The Diplomacy Matters slate will not stand by while these threats hang over our heads. We will fight in the courts and in the halls of our agencies to preserve jobs, protect the Foreign Service’s integrity, and advocate for our members on Capitol Hill, with the media, and most importantly, with the American people.
Our experienced team brings proven leadership and the dedication needed to rise to these challenges. When you vote for Diplomacy Matters, you vote for a future where our rights are protected, our institution thrives, and our voices are heard.
Tom Yazdgerdi, President
Ro Nepal, State VP
Jay Carreiro, FCS VP
John O’Keefe, Retiree VP
Steph Straface, State Rep
Josh Burke, FCS Rep
Michael Kirby, Retiree Rep
Julie Nutter, Retiree Rep
Gunter (Eric) Schwabe, USAGM Rep
Randy Chester, Candidate for USAID Vice President
Elections matter, now more than ever!!!
The Administration's recent attack on Federal Unions like its attack on USAID requires a strong and continued response. AFSA will always be here for you and so will I, as your VP, working for AFSA as a Union or a professional association. It’s important that we continue the fight and to do so everyone must vote and make their voice heard.
Regardless of the election outcome or any foolish Executive Order, I will continue to support you and fight for your rights.
Jennifer Bonner, Candidate for Retiree Representative
A few months ago we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Foreign Service and lauded the value to our national security of a nonpartisan, career service of professionals. However, today we are under an attack that is shaking the foundations of the foreign affairs agencies, threatening retiree benefits, and putting our nation at risk. AFSA needs an experienced, fearless board to hold back the current onslaught, protect our members, and strategize to safeguard the institution and the interests of its membership for the future. I retired in late 2024 after 35 years as a State Management officer. I was the Executive Director of two of the largest bureaus at State, served as a DAS in Consular Affairs, led the ICASS Service Center, and served as management officer in multiple hardship posts. Taking care of our Foreign Service professionals and family members at home and abroad was always my main motivation.
John Dinkelman, Candidate for President ^
For the 17th time in my career, I am just like you and wondering “who I should vote for and does this even matter?” For answers to the first question, please visit afsa.org/afsa-elections for my official statements. Simply put, I’m running on a straightforward platform to defend you, conduct greater advocacy, and be far more transparent.
The second question is more challenging considering recent events. While I plan to fight tooth and nail to advocate for USAID and USAGM and restore the CBAs with State and APHIS, I also see the unique opportunity we have to improve AFSA. We will find new ways to advocate for you, restructure AFSA to be more forward leaning, and ultimately re-prove the organization’s worth.
As a management officer at heart, those challenges sound like problems I want to work on because the ultimate goal of protecting you means so much to me.
Donald Emerick, Candidate for State Department Representative ^
Colleagues,
The rules of the game have changed. We face the removal of our collective bargaining rights and the dismissal of our friends and neighbors. This demands a bold and aggressive defense of the Foreign Service. I'm committed to three critical priorities:
- Defending our members. We'll lead legal actions to enforce established workforce protections and continue securing early retirement opportunities for FS professionals.
- Strengthening advocacy by doubling outreach efforts. We must tell our own story to Congress and our fellow citizens.
- Ensuring transparency through better communication. We'll collaborate with employee organizations, host interactive town halls, and provide advance notice about issues affecting you.
I've managed multiple crises throughout my career—from embassy evacuations to supporting Mission Ukraine. Having experienced our unique sacrifices firsthand, I know what's at stake. I would be honored to defend and serve the Foreign Service during this critical moment.
Logan Wheeler, Candidate for State Department Vice President ^
AFSA voters - Like you, I am shocked and dismayed by last week’s Executive Order on federal employee unions and the repercussions in the Department since. This is only the latest attack in an ongoing campaign against federal employees broadly and the Foreign Service specifically.
But hope is not lost for the Foreign Service community or for AFSA. Numerous USAID and USAGM lawsuits are continuing their way through the justice system. AFSA is filing yet another suit in response to the anti-union order. Just today, a bipartisan House committee submitted a bill to counter the same order.
The work ahead to manage these cases and find more Congressional allies will be neither fast nor pretty. As you vote, please consider the statements and videos of the Support and Defend slate. This work ties directly to the pillars of our campaign. And it is work we are eager to do.
Donald Camp, Candidate for Retiree Representative ^
The Foreign Service is under threat. Our retirement benefits are under threat. AFSA is under threat after the latest executive order. There is a full plate for the new AFSA governing board.
Part-time board members and retirees may need to play a bigger role if de-recognition of our union means no board members will be full-time compensated FSOs. Also, active-duty members may feel constrained in their words and actions. Retirees answer to no one but ourselves.
We will have to do more with less. I want to work for retirees to preserve our hard-earned health and pension benefits in this new world. Congressional advocacy will be crucial. You can count on me. I will communicate with you directly to seek your advice and guidance as we move forward. Please be in touch with me at donacamp @ gmail.com.
Austan Mogharabi, Candidate for USAID Representative ^
My dear USAID colleagues, it's been a difficult week (again). I know how you are feeling; I feel it too. I know for many of us, this doesn’t feel like just losing a job. Many of you are reeling from having worked many years, only to lose retirement benefits you were counting on for yourselves and your families.
I want to explain why I'm running on the Support and Defend slate. Slate leaders reached out to me and engaged in substantive conversations about the future. We agree that business as usual won't work. I share your concerns that AFSA often appears more concerned with reserving resources for the future rather than taking immediate action. Slate leaders made clear they view actions against USAID - and USAGM - as existential for AFSA.
John Naland, Candidate for Treasurer
Having served on the AFSA Governing Board for 14 of the last 26 years in the positions of President, State VP, and Retiree VP, I believe that my knowledge and experience could benefit the next Governing Board. Therefore, I ask for your vote for me to serve as AFSA Treasurer.
The position of Treasurer will be especially important over the next two years as AFSA experiences a decline in revenue due to Foreign Service reductions in force and faces the need to increase expenditures to defend the Foreign Service. Fortunately, Governing Boards over the past several decades have built up a sizeable operating reserve. AFSA will likely need to draw down those reserves to fund core programs and defend the Foreign Service but should do so prudently given that the current “black swan” event will likely last at least four years.
Peter Burba, Candidate for State Department Vice President
We may lose collective bargaining via an executive order; ultimately the courts will decide. What I can say is that as a former member of the United Auto Workers, I appreciate the statement from the UAW President how it was deplorable that federal unions were stripped of collective bargaining rights, and I also admire the UAW’s current independent course to support its goals regardless of any taboos. AFSA must be prepared to plot an independent course like the UAW if appropriate.
I will show up for everyone, but members do face different challenges. I joined the Foreign Service in 2009, my grade is FS-02, I am not eligible for an immediate annuity if I am RIFed. My highest priority will be to protect the large number of the FS in this precarious situation. I believe losing the mid-level and our newest colleagues would be the most detrimental to our organization.
Christina Higgins, Candidate for State Department Representative
Now is a time to show up! For ideas on how to do that in your community - email me: Communityideas22 @ yahoo.com. I want to thank each and every one of you for showing up to work every day, giving the Department, your colleagues and the American people your best. As an FSO of 25 years, I will put my extensive HR experience at your service. I have served on several non-profit boards. Our shared experiences will inform my advocacy: I have been single in the Foreign Service, divorced, married, a parent, a subordinate, a supervisor, a DCM. I know what it’s like to be an entry-level employee with two weeks annual leave at a hardship post and to need the education allowance for speech therapy for my child.
Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Candidate for Retiree Vice President ^
Every day makes more clear how consequential this election can be. I am eager to represent and support my peers and the foreign affairs professions soon to join us. Our slate will fight for all of our constituents; our retiree team is focussed, energized, and will fight to maintain and expand retiree benefits. Throughout my career effective advocacy has been one of my strengths. We are a strong and cohesive unit with a shared commitment to the strength and protection of foreign affairs professionals. I’m running for Vice President for retirees and seek your support. Don’t forget to visit afsa.org/afsa-elections for my official statements. I stand for greater advocacy, transparency and the legal rights of Foreign Service professionals as well as AFSA itself.
Yolonda Kerney, Candidate for Retiree Representative ^
As a Retiree Representative candidate on the Support and Defend slate, I am dedicated to safeguarding the hard-earned benefits of all retirees, including pensions, healthcare, and cost-of-living adjustments. Recognizing the evolving dynamics of retirement, I will advocate for policies that support those parenting minor children, and/or caring for aging parents.
I am deeply concerned about recent legal challenges that threaten AFSA’s collective bargaining power and set a concerning precedent for all unions. These developments highlight the need for vigilant representation to protect our rights and benefits, and the integrity of the diplomatic corps. I am committed to ensuring that retirees’ voices are heard, and that AFSA remains strong and responsive to the challenges we face.
Mary Brett Rogers-Springs, Candidate for State Department Vice President
Even if AFSA is not currently a union, we need to survive to thrive -- vote for me if you want a vice president who will listen to everyone and work with anyone to advance an agenda that supports our rank and file on issues of promotions, assignments, early retirement options, work-life challenges and more. I commit to apply my decades of Foreign Service and previous labor and employment legal experience to fight for everything we’ve been promised and need/expect our organization to deliver on with any authority we have as an employee association. I will seek to protect the Foreign Service through strong legal action and well-crafted legislation -- pressing for the Department and Congress to maintain foundational benefits and minimize restructuring and RIFs, while looking to maximize voluntary early retirement authorities.
I will work for you and prioritize holding Department leadership accountable to all FS employees.
Kevin Sampson, Candidate for USAID Vice President
Fannie Lou Hamer, legendary voting rights advocate stated, “I am tired of being tired”. The endless stream of signal messages and voluminous court filings have tested out resolve. With all the challenges we need to keep up the fight.
There were some bright spots. Nine House members voted against the speaker, Wisconsin voters proved democracy isn’t for sale, and 23 AGs filed suit against the Department of Ed dismantling.
Let’s keep the warrior ethos:
- Join me @ the Hands-Off Rally, April 6 at noon @ The Washington Monument to fight for unions.
- Join me in "RIF Ain’t Right" Week of Advocacy. Contact Senator(s) Durbin, Shaheen, and Van Hollen and share your issues. In addition, reach out to anyone else like the Peace Corps Caucus. peacecorpsconnect.org/npca-advocacy/caucus/. Stay well and I would appreciate your vote – Kevin Sampson.
Connor Ferry-Smith, Candidate for State Department Representative ^
I am a first-tour, untenured specialist. I will be the first untenured professional to join the AFSA board, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent entry-level professionals, LNAs/FSLs, and specialists.
I am proud to be running as part of the “Support and Defend” slate, under Dink’s leadership. He is the leader we need for this current moment.
Approximately 25% of the Foreign Service has joined since COVID, and we can’t let others speak for us. With your support, I will have a seat at the table to advocate for our issues. I will be part of ensuring that AFSA stays focused on the needs of the rank and file who make the Department run.
I have gone on record (in my candidate video) stating that I will resign before allowing another OCP-like debacle. AFSA needs to work for the members; please join me in making this happen.
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