Asel Roberts
Asel Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2026 | |
| United States Ambassador to Slovenia | |
| Assumed office June 15, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jamie Harpootlian |
| Chief of Protocol of the United States Acting | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 3, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Cam Henderson |
| Succeeded by | Rufus Gifford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Asel Tolenova[1] 1976 (age 49–50) Almaty, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union |
| Education | Walsh School of Foreign Service |
Asel Roberts (née Tolenova; Kazakh: Әсел Робертс; born 1976) is a Kazakh-born American diplomat who is serving United States Ambassador to Slovenia. She had served as Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States from January 20, 2021 to January 3, 2022.
Early life
[edit]Roberts was born in Almaty, Kazakh SSR, USSR in 1976.[1] She graduated from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Law and Organizations. In addition to English, she also speaks Russian, Kazakh, and Japanese.[2]
Career
[edit]Roberts had more than 15 years of experience in the Office of the Chief of Protocol and was serving as a senior advisor when she became the acting chief of protocol in Joe Biden's administration.[2]
In February 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Roberts to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Slovenia.[3] She presented her credentials to President Nataša Pirc Musar on June 15, 2026.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Kazakhstani native Asel Roberts became Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States". AKIpress News Agency. January 22, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- 1 2 "Asel Roberts Biography". U.S. Department of State.
- ↑ "Nominations Sent to the Senate". The White House. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Ambassador Asel Roberts". U.S. Embassy in Slovenia. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- 1976 births
- People from Almaty
- Kazakhstani emigrants to the United States
- Chiefs of protocol of the United States
- Biden administration personnel
- Living people
- Georgetown University alumni
- Ambassadors of the United States to Slovenia
- United States ambassadors appointed by Donald Trump
- 21st-century American women civil servants
- Second Trump administration personnel