Kelly Keiderling
2026 ALI Fellow

Kelly Keiderling brings to ALI more than three decades of distinguished service as a U.S. diplomat, most recently serving as head of mission for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Mission to Moldova. Over the course of her career, she held senior leadership positions across multiple continents as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, foreign affairs advisor to the U.S. Vice President, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, along with U.S. diplomatic assignments in Venezuela, Moldova, Cuba, Botswana, Kyrgyzstan, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Zambia.

Kelly’s career reflects a deep commitment to public service, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. She motivated teams with meaningful goals to advance U.S. interests and values and gave purpose to their work.  She contributed to the professional development of future leaders in diplomacy and defense, including through service as deputy commandant and associate professor at the National War College.