Randi Levine
Randi Levine | |
|---|---|
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| United States Ambassador to Portugal | |
| In office April 22, 2022 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | George Edward Glass |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Randi Charno |
| Spouse | Jeffrey E. Levine |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Missouri (BA) |
Randi Charno Levine is an American author, arts advocate, and diplomat who served as the United States ambassador to Portugal from 2022 to 2025.
Education
[edit]Levine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Missouri School of Journalism.[1]
Career
[edit]Levin has been a member of advisory and governing boards for several organizations, including the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Hamptons International Film Festival, John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Roundabout Theatre Company, NYU Langone Health, High Line, Anna Wintour Costume Center, National Portrait Gallery, New Museum, and Meridian International Center.[2]
Ambassador to Portugal
[edit]On October 29, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Levine to be the ambassador to Portugal.[1] Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 8, 2022. The committee favorably reported her nomination to the Senate floor on March 8, 2022. The entire Senate confirmed Levine by voice vote on March 10, 2022.[3] She presented her credentials to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on April 22, 2022.[4]
During her tenure, Levine focused on strengthening U.S.-Portugal relations across defense, innovation, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy.[5] In an interview with Expresso's The Heart & Hustle podcast, she emphaszied Portugal's ability to make an outsized impact on the international stage despite its relatively small size.[6]
Levine played a key role in advancing bilateral defense cooperation, culminating in Portugal's participation in a U.S. defense program shortly before her departure. This agreement, announced in January 2025, marked a significant step in aligning Portugal's military capabilities with NATO standards, enhancing interoperability between Portuguese and U.S. forces.[7]
In 2023, Ambassador Levine hosted the “Art in Embassies” celebration, which featured an exhibit at Casa Carlucci titled “Celebrating Diversity – Democracy and Representation in the Arts.” The event, opened by First Lady Jill Biden, included three days of public panels and discussions across Lisbon with prominent Portuguese and American artists. Levine also spearheaded numerous intercultural initiatives that highlighted the shared artistic heritage of Portugal and the United States. These included Diplomacia Hip Hop with Portuguese rapper Sam the Kid, Diplomacia Culinária featuring American chef Art Smith, and L'USAfonia, a free public concert where Portuguese-African musicians performed traditional American music to commemorate Black History Month.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Levine's husband, Jeffrey E. Levine, is the founder of Douglaston Development and Levine Builders. He has also worked as the president of the Jewish National Fund–USA.[9] Levine has three children.[10]
In January 2025, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa awarded Levine the title of Honorary Professor of Art and Diplomacy.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "President Biden Announces Key Nominations". The White House. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "New US ambassador specializes in art". Tek Deeps. 2021-08-21. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "PN1363 — Randi Charno Levine". Congress.gov. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
- ^ "Ambassador Randi Charno Levine Presents Credentials". United States Department of State. 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Ambassador Randi Charno Levine". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Portugal. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Goncalves, Tony (2024-12-19). "Randi Levine: "Portugal is big in innovation, renewable energy and cultural diplomacy. It's not about size, it's about leadership and heart"". Expresso. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Donn, Natasha (2025-01-14). "Portugal signs up to United States defence programme days before new president takes office". Portugal Resident. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "US Ambassador to Portugal announces departure". The Portugal News. 2024-01-17. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Jessica Levine, Evan Sherman". The New York Times. 2016-05-29. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Lunch at the Tribeca Grill with: Jeffrey E. Levine". www.pranaygupte.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Católica grants Honorary Professorship to Randi Levine, U.S. Ambassador to Portugal". Universidade Católica Portuguesa. 2025-01-10. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
External links
[edit]| Minister Plenipotentiary | |
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| Chargé d'Affaires | |
| Minister Resident |
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| Minister Resident/Consul General | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
Current United States ambassadors to the member states of the European Union | ||
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