US Consulate in Hyderabad welcomes Laura Williams as new chief

Hyderabad: The US Consulate General here welcomed Laura E Williams as the new US Consul General.

Laura is a distinguished member of the US Senior Foreign Service and brings a wealth of experience in diplomacy, technology, and innovation to her new role, the consulate said in a public note released on Thursday.

“I am honoured to serve as the US Consul General in Hyderabad,” said Consul General Williams, speaking about her position.

“I look forward to strengthening the US-India partnership across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. I am committed to building on our strong foundation of collaboration and the growing people-to-people ties that drive growth and shared prosperity. It is a privilege to serve the interests and represent the values of the US Government and the American people in this great region,” she said.

Distinguished career

Laura Williams previously served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Enterprise Services at the US Department of State, where she managed the suite of information technology platforms that connect diplomats in Washington and embassies worldwide.

Throughout her career, she has championed initiatives to secure sensitive data, improve knowledge management practices and leverage innovative technology to amplify public diplomacy.

Her extensive overseas experience includes assignments at US Embassies in Nicosia, Algiers, Rome and Mexico City.

At the State Department’s headquarters in Washington, DC, she has held diverse portfolios, including positions in the Diplomatic Technology Bureau, the Secretary’s Operations Centre, the Recruitment Office, the Foreign Service Institute’s School of Applied Information Technology, the Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau and the Centre for Analytics.

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Laura Williams worked as a contractor with the US Navy Submarine Command, the US Department of State's Consular Affairs Bureau and the US Agency for International Development.

She holds a BA in International Relations from American University and multiple industry certifications in technology and project management, including the CIO Certification from the National Defence University.

Strengthening ties

Laura Williams expressed her gratitude to outgoing Consul General Jennifer Larson for her exceptional leadership and dedication during her tenure.

“Consul General Larson has done an outstanding job in fostering strong relationships and collaborations in Hyderabad and the surrounding region. I look forward to continuing the legacy she has built and working closely with leaders and partners across all sectors to advance our shared goals.”

The US Consulate General in Hyderabad said it looks forward to further deepening the US-India relationship under Laura Williams' leadership in the region. Her appointment reflects the United States’ commitment to fostering strong partnerships, economic growth and sharing the best of American excellence through diplomacy and leadership.