Title: America’s Diplomats: A Conversation with Ambassador (ret.) James B. Story

The America’s Diplomats Speakers Series is designed to empower students to see themselves as the diplomats of tomorrow, and to reenergize those already in public service by highlighting the many ways their work matters. At a time when the need for a strong public service is more necessary than ever, America’s Diplomats offers an honest and compelling window into the lives of those who have shaped U.S. foreign policy across regions, decades, and administrations.

Join us for a conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela James Story, as he shares his “origin story”—his path to public service—as well as the mentors, roles, and skills that helped him succeed in a demanding, but rewarding, line of work.

Ambassador (ret.) James Story grew up in the small town of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and graduated with a B.A./B.Sc. in Interdisciplinary Studies from South Carolina College at the University of South Carolina. He also received an M.Sc. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He speaks Portuguese and Spanish.

Ambassador Story served as both Ambassador and Charge d’Affaires to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from July 2018 until May 2023. Ambassador (ret.) Story taught as a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University and served as the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy to Angola and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the Charge d’Affaires in Eswatini and to the Dutch Caribbean from Curacao. Ambassador Story retired in May 2025.

He is the recipient of numerous State Department and interagency awards, including the Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award, the Warren Christopher Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Affairs, the Distinguished Honor Award for the Western Hemisphere Bureau, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Exceptional Service Award.

Read Ambassador Story’s full bio here.