John Hennessey-Niland
John Hennessey-Niland is an American diplomat who has served as the United States Ambassador to Palau since March 6, 2020. Early life and education. Hennessey-Niland received his Bachelor of Arts at Tufts University, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Diplome at France's École nationale d'administration. Career. Previously he was the Foreign Policy Advisor to United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, and the Political-Economic Chief at the United States Embassy in Suva, Fiji. Other diplomatic assignments  include Deputy Chief of Mission and later Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland; Director at the National Security Council for the G-20/G-7; and Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the Embassy of the United States, Islamabad, Pakistan. On September 30, 2019, President Trump nominated Hennessey-Niland to be the next United States Ambasassador to Palau. On February 11, 2020, his nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote. He presented his credentials on March 6, 2020. In March 2021, Hennessey-Niland traveled to Taiwan, alongside Palauan President Surangel Whipps  Jr., who met with President Tsai Ing-wen. This made Hennessey-Niland the first sitting U.S. ambassador to visit Taiwan since the U.S. broke off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979. Personal life. He speaks French and Dutch. Awards. Hennessey-Niland received the following awards, including the Department of State Foreign Policy Advisors of the Year Award and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.