Elizabeth M. Allen Transitions from Public Diplomacy to Political Campaigning
Elizabeth M. Allen, a seasoned diplomat and political strategist, is set to leave her role as the U.S. under secretary of state for public diplomacy to assume a pivotal position in Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. This transition marks a significant shift in her career trajectory.
Beginning Saturday, Ms. Allen will take on the role of chief of staff to the vice president’s prospective running mate, whose identity is anticipated to be unveiled shortly, according to sources close to the situation.
Ms. Allen’s career has been distinguished by her ability to navigate the intricate worlds of diplomacy and national politics. During the 2020 election cycle, she demonstrated her expertise as the communications director for Ms. Harris’s vice-presidential operations. Her extensive experience also includes serving as a deputy communications director in the Obama White House from 2015 to 2016, and prior to that, she worked as a communications aide to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Originally hailing from Buffalo, Ms. Allen’s journey in public service began when she joined the State Department as a college intern. Since April 2022, she has been responsible for overseeing its public diplomacy initiatives, initially in an acting capacity and later confirmed in June 2023. Her role has been crucial in enhancing America’s image on the global stage.
Colleagues have noted that Ms. Allen has contributed significantly in a more abstract capacity as a vital member of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s core team. The public diplomacy office, established in 1999, gained prominence for its efforts to enhance the U.S. image, particularly in the Muslim world following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. More recently, its focus has shifted to addressing the challenges posed by great-power competition with nations like China and Russia, which employ information warfare tactics to undermine the United States’ international reputation.
In an interview, Ms. Allen emphasized the critical importance of U.S. credibility in today’s geopolitical landscape, stating, “The components of public diplomacy — and in particular, strategic narratives and countering disinformation — have never been more important.”
