“The fact that I made it to where I made it, when I look at where I came, I think is a message to the world and it's also a message to other young people who come from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds, that where they come from does not necessarily have to define where they are going.”

American diplomat

Linda Thomas-Greenfield is an American diplomat. She served as the 31st United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, and earlier was the 18th assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017. After leaving government service, she worked in the private sector as a senior vice president at the business strategy firm Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, D.C. Her career has centered on diplomacy and international affairs, especially U.S. policy toward Africa and work at the United Nations.