Mary Ann Peters

Mary Ann Peters joined the Carter Center as CEO in 2014, overseeing a global workforce in the implementation of projects in global health, conflict resolution, democracy, and human rights. Previously she was provost of the U.S. Naval War College and dean of academics at the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany. A career diplomat, she served as U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh from 2000 to 2003. Ambassador Peters has been provost of the U.S. Naval War College since September 2008. Previously, she was dean of academics of the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch – Partenkirchen, Germany. Prior to becoming dean of the college, Ambassador Peters served as associate director for international liaison at the Marshall Center. Ambassador Peters spent more than 30 years as a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. From 2000 to 2003, she was U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh. Prior to her posting in Dhaka, Ambassador Peters was the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, responsible for the management of the embassy and supervision of the six U.S. consulates general in Canada. From 1995 to 1997, Ambassador Peters served in the White House as director for European and Canadian Affairs at the National Security Council. Among other portfolios in this position, Ambassador Peters worked on the diplomatic and security aspects of the search for peace in Northern Ireland. From 1993 to 1994, Ambassador Peters served as deputy assistant secretary of state, A senior diplomat, Ambassador Peters also has served in Sofia, Bulgaria, as deputy chief of mission; in Moscow as economic counselor; and in Mandalay, Burma, as principal officer. From 1988 to 1990, Ambassador Peters was the deputy director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh Affairs in the State Department. She began her career as a vice-consul in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1975. Ambassador Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Santa Clara University and a Masters of International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her formal education also included courses at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris. Ambassador Peters is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Women in International Security.