Julie Furuta-Toy

Julie Furuta-Toy
United States Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2016
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Petra Zabriskie (Acting)
United States Ambassador to Norway Acting
In office September 28, 2013 – June 2015
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Barry White
Succeeded by	Robert Bradtke (Acting)
Personal details
Alma mater	University of California, Riverside Indiana University, Bloomington National Defense University

Julie Furuta-Toy was chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the United States, Oslo and acting United States Ambassador to Norway. The wait for confirmation of a new ambassador by the United States Senate led to a long term as acting Ambassador to Norway of more than 23 months.^[1] On June 18, 2015, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Ms. Furuta-Toy to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the country of Equatorial Guinea, and she was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 22, 2015.^[2]

Early life and education

Furuta Toy is the daughter of Emi K. Furuta and Tokuji Furuta.

Furuta-Toy earned a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Riverside in 1981. She credits her liberal arts education and study abroad her final year in the U.K. with sparking her interest in a foreign service career. ^[3] She also earned a Master's degree in comparative literature from Indiana University and a Master's degree in security studies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.^[4]

Career

She entered the United States Foreign Service in 1986. She has lived in the Philippines, Venezuela, Haiti, India, and Russia. In addition to her tours in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, she has served in Washington, D.C. in the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the Bureau of Human Resources.

She is the former director of the Office of Children's Issues (2007–2009) and director of the Office of Public and Diplomatic Liaison of the Visa Office (2004–2007), both in the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

She arrived in Oslo, Norway, in August 2012. Prior to her arrival in Norway, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana (2009–2012).^[4]

Acting Ambassador to Norway

Ambassador Barry B. White left his position as ambassador in September 2013.^[5] She then became acting Ambassador to Norway. In September 2013 George James Tsunis was nominated as U.S. ambassador to Norway by president Obama.^[6]

In October 2014, the US Embassy in Oslo won praise after taking its defense of gay rights to new levels.^[7] Julie Furuta-Toy stated in a press release: "We think this is a fine way of showing our support for LHBT-right".

Personal

Furuta-Toy is married to Steven M. Toy and they have two adult children. In addition to English, she speaks Spanish and Russian. ^[8]

References