I am the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein – AMA!

What do you think of the common criticism that too many ambassadors are appointed because they were fundraisers for the President & the Democratic/Republican party? You can look up individual donations here and it appears that you've donated quite a bit to the President & the Democratic Party? Do you think that more ambassadors should be career diplomats or is there value in having individuals close to the President serve as ambassadors?

Fair question. I believe that there is tremendous value in a blend. The answer is not "or." It is "and." Different skill sets are appropriate in different situations and places around the globe. For example, my professional and volunteer experience as someone who has created partnerships, organized communities, led teams, initiated start-ups, etc., is a terrific match for Switzerland where I work with the likes of Nestle, Novartis, and ABB. Alternatively, someone like my friend, Michael Hoza, the new U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, brings decades of foreign service experience and is equipped to take on the likes of Boko Haram.

Grüezi! Great you do this AMA! What do you think can the USA learn from Switzerland? Or the Americans from the Swiss (people)?

Grüsse aus der Schweiz

Grüssich. (I'm learning from the Bernese.) Thank you, honored and excited to do this AMA. I think that at least one thing that the U.S. can learn from Switzerland is about the vocational education training/apprenticeship programs. At least one thing that the Swiss may choose to learn from the U.S. is, in regards to our flavor of innovation, our freedom to fail, learn, recover, and succeed.

Hi Ambassador,

Thank you for doing the AMA. To what extent have the recent recent revelations from data leaks (Snowden, Manning) changed how host countries interact with US representatives? Do you perceive a greater reluctance to share information or a fear of eavesdropping?

I spend a lot of time listening to Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens about this and am impressed by the willingness to have a substantive discussion on the balance between privacy and security. I understand their concerns, and it is an ongoing process. I recommend reading President Obama's remarks from January 17 on this issue: http://go.usa.gov/wnrh.

Do you have to deal with a lot of people revoking their US citizenship nowadays? Because it isn't exactly easy being a dual citizen these days ever since FATCA came around.

I have deep empathy for those who are wrestling with this decision and situation right now. My team and I are actively working to alleviate some of the concerns.

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Diplomatic experience does not just derive from work in the Foreign Service. Let me tell you about team oasys from Jordan or team onebuzz from New Zealand. These were two teams and two groups of students with whom I had the honor of working in my capacity at Microsoft to shine a spotlight on innovators using technology to change the world. That's diplomacy. (in other words - I believe that my experience throughout my career has been very beneficial to my position as Ambassador. For example - I have worked with students from across the globe to understand and recognize their aspirations and skills - and have had the opportunity to see how those skills helps build, support and sustain economies - regardless of country size or location.

What was it that brought you into this line of work?

An airplane. No, seriously. The President asked me to do this, because of my background in technology, innovation, education, social responsibility, and the outdoors.

Ambassador, you were the first in such a position to be sworn in with your hand on an e-reader instead of a book. That made the news on some tech sites, but the news reports lacked some kind of background. Whose idea was it, and what was the thought behind it?

Great question! (By the way, what is the plural of octopus?) As for the e-reader, I wrote about this in my blog post here: http://go.usa.gov/wnBz. After reading, let me know if you have any additional questions.

What did you study in college? Do you think it helped you to get this job?

I have degrees in both English and engineering. My objective on my first resume was to communicate technology to non-technologists. Ever since, I have been somebody building bridges between communities and groups in different ways. I believe that that's why I have this job.

Do you think that presidents should continue to appoint plush state dept posts to their highest donors? I do realize this goes both ways, and both parties are involved in this practice.

I think that the State Department and the Foreign Service overall benefits greatly from the blend of both Career and Non-Career appointees as Ambassadors and the skills and expertise that they each bring. Please see my other responses on this.

What is the most challenging moment of your Career thus far, and how did you overcome it?

I tend to approach challenges as opportunities. What can I learn? How can I grow? With whom can I learn from their mistakes? The hardest element of this ambassadorial job so far was frankly, waiting to get confirmed. In my overall very nonlinear career, the hardest moment was going back to work in 2009 after four and a half years home with my kids and hearing people say that I was no longer qualified.

It's always been a dream of mine to work for an embassy--or in the foreign service. I'm fluent in French, 24 years old, and I love America. How do I go about making this dream a reality? EDIT: I forgot to say I am an American...and of course I love it.

First off, go for it! http://careers.state.gov (In fact, I think the deadline for summer internships is next week, and that's a great way to get a taste of this career. Stop wasting time on Reddit and go apply. :-)

Do you get paid double?

Switzerland's a bonus.

What have your interactions with the Swiss banking industry been like? Are they actually interested in working with you on issues like tax fraud, or do they just not care about what the US wants?

I have many interactions with the Swiss banking industry, Swiss banks, and customers of Swiss banks. The industry has taken some very tangible and positive steps, and the Swiss are working with the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service closely.

Hello, what was your impression on Switzerland and its people the first time you visited the country and how did it evolve? Sorry for the poor english, I'm Swiss

Sorry for the poor English, I'm American. Just kidding. :-) Before I got there, I had my expectations set for a reticence to be open and engaged right away. What I found instead was that at all levels, people have been forthright, honest, and warm.

What's is it like traveling back and forth between countries? Is it a cultural shock?

This is my first time back in the U.S. after starting in June. Yes, there is a cultural shock depending on where I am in the U.S. For example, in Switzerland, pedestrians do not cross against the light. In Seattle, pedestrians do not cross against the light. In D.C., what light?

If I had only one day to spend in Switzerland, and I've never been there before, what should I do?

Ask for more days. Barring that, get a train pass, hike a mountain, eat some chocolate, and wash it down with the excellent wine that Switzerland does not export.

The Swiss always state that they are Neutral. How does affect your work in situations like building consensus to fight ISIS? I'm sure they too find it barbaric but how do you convince them to contribute and not stand away as neutral bystander?

The Swiss Government just officially categorized ISIL as a terrorist organization showing that neutrality can have teeth.

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I love this question! The answer is yes and no. I never find that I am treated differently in this capacity as a woman, AND I look forward to having more women in the room when I have meetings with executives across Switzerland.

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To clarify: as an Ambassador - I have not been treated differently. Over the course of my career - per my note above, I, sadly, have.

I've seen that Liechtenstein has one of the highest GDP per capita (via CIA World Factbook). Is this just a strange side effect of having such a small population, or does the country seem particularly affluent? Since it is so tiny compared to Switzerland, do you actually ever take time to get to Liechtenstein?

Any country where the monarch opens their home for free pretzels and beer is doing something right. Oh, and yes, I've been to Liechtenstein and recommend people go there on August 15, their national day, and when pretzels and beer are available in the castle courtyard (that's not White Castle :-) for everyone. Check out my TwitPic here: https://twitter.com/AmbSuzi/status/501401751430651904.

Hey Suzi, We miss the LeVines around Queen Anne! What, if anything, do you miss most being away from Queen Anne and Seattle?

Hi Joe! We miss you guys too. The $5 coffee (let's just say it's a little bit more in Switzerland). One of the things I do love is that from both of my homes, my home in Seattle and my new home in Bern, I get to look out on beautiful mountains and greenery. Come and see!

Are you involved at all with brokering an energy deal with Ukraine for the upcoming winter now that Russia has largely cut them off from energy? How do you think that will play out?

The United States is working closely with our partners throughout Europe to reinforce Ukraine's energy security.

Sprechen sie Deutsch?

Ich lerne (I'm learning). Aber langsam (but slowly).

Schweizerdeutsch, oder hochdeutsch?

Ich lerne hochdeutsch. But my family and I are learning schweizerdeutsch via osmosis (to some degree).

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please see above/below other questions on this. Thank you so much for asking!

How do you feel about American choclate like Herseys compared to Switzerland?

Is Switzerland a chocolate? Just kidding. :-) (Warning: diplospeak coming) I think all chocolate is lovely. What's your favorite?

Do you have a Swiss bank account, and are they all they're cracked up to be?

I keep looking for Daniel Craig in the Bundesplatz near all of the banks - haven't seen him yet. If anyone does - please let me know!

Does it get boring being the ambassador to a neutral country while we are on the brink of WW3?

Switzerland has hands-on neutrality and is an incredibly interesting and important place to be at this moment with so much happening around the world.

How regularly do you speak with State Department officials back in Washington DC? Who is your immediate superior? Wendy Sherman? How much of the day to day operations of an embassy come from officials in DC?

We have regular communications, and it's important to share what's happening in Switzerland with D.C. My technical, immediate superior is the President. That said, we do a lot of coordination within the European and Eurasian Bureau, which is run by the awesome Toria Nuland.

What compelled you to leave your exec job and enter public service?

One, most recently, I was a stay-at-home mom. (Did I mention a nonlinear career?) The technical answer is that my President asked me, and I was and am honored to serve my country.

How many times have you met Roger Federer??

None yet, but hopefully he's reading this. Hi Rog!

How was your week?

Awesome! (and better with having done this AMA. Yours?

What advice would you give somebody interested in becoming an Ambassador (or at least working for abroad for the State Department)?

I'd recommend getting a taste of it via the internship program or other more interim positions. They can be found on http://careers.state.gov/ - I have immense respect and admiration for the work those working for the State Department do to keep us safe and help our economy!

In your estimation, are the Swiss people regretting their decision to de facto cancel all their collaborations with the EU in order to restrict immigration? Or are they still happy with that referendum?

To unpack your question a little bit, what will happen from the February 9th vote is still to be determined. I speak with a lot of businesses about the potential implications, but it really is very much an internal Swiss matter.

Good afternoon Ma'am. As a Marine, foreign policy is almost a requirement to understand my place in the world, do ( EDIT: Marines sometimes no type good) you find yourself taxed being an ambassador to 2 countries, regardless of the size of Liechtenstein?

First off, as the daughter, granddaughter, and stepdaughter of veterans, thank you for your service. I so deeply respect the work that you and your fellow members of the armed services to do keep us safe. In fact, I am honored to have an extraordinary Marine detachment in the Embassy and am working on my Marine Ball remarks right now. As for being posted to two countries, it is double the honor.

Who's at your dream dinner party?

A. Jeremy Renner whose Reddit session is next. Hi, Jeremy! B. Sonia Sotomayor -- extraordinary human being. C. Wolverine -- awesome hair! D. Neil Degrasse Tyson E. Derrick Coleman -- Seahawks fullback F. Marie Curie (no one said they still have to be alive, right?) F. And of course, my wonderful family.