Ambassador Peter Bodde

Peter W. Bodde, former U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Nepal  and Malawi retired for a second time from the Department  of State on May 31, 2019. He was recalled to duty on  November 15, 2018 to serve as Chargé d’Affaires to the Libya External Office in Tunis after chairing an Accountability Review Board examining the State Department’s response to potential attacks on the Embassy staff in Havana that resulted in significant injury to numerous employees.  

Ambassador Bodde was a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of  Minister-Counselor. His leadership was recognized as a two time recipient of  the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award first for his work promoting  democracy, protecting U.S. citizens, and help leading the international response  to the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal and later for his service as Ambassador  to Libya. During his 38-year career he developed a strong regional expertise in  South Asia serving three tours in Nepal as well as serving in India and Pakistan.  He is especially proud of his efforts to institutionalize democratic institutions in  nascent democracies. He made protecting minority communities, promoting women’s empowerment, and combatting Human trafficking a priority in each of  his Ambassadorial assignments. Ambassador Bodde was decorated by the late  King Birendra for his efforts in this regard during his second assignment in  Nepal. 

In addition, Ambassador Bodde’s personal interest in religious freedom, refugee issues and environmental degradation and climate change help ensure a  constant US focus on the issues. He is especially proud of his work on  protecting Tibetan refugees in Nepal. 

Ambassador Bodde is well regarded as a for his leadership skills having received  numerous State Department, DOD, Intelligence and Law Enforcement  community awards for his performance. His skills to lead and drive interagency  efforts are a matter of record. His work and dedication to those in need, have  also been acknowledged by numerous NGO’s and members of Congress. 

Ambassador Bodde received a BA in Political Science from the University of  Maryland. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked at the United States  International Trade Commission. He is married to Tanya L. Bodde and they  have two grown children and three grandchildren.