Randi Charno Levine has been the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal since 2022. Nominated by President Biden in November 2021, she was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. A national advocate for the arts, cultural diplomacy leader, and philanthropist, Ambassador Levine has made mission-wide efforts to enhance the long-standing diplomatic, commercial, educational, cultural and defense collaborations between Portugal and the United States.
As Ambassador, she is responsible for advancing U.S. political and economic policy, including strengthening defense cooperation and enhancing commercial opportunities. In 2023, she led a unique bilateral trade and investment mission to increase trade and investment linkages between U.S. and Portuguese companies in the renewable energy and critical minerals sectors and diversify our supply chains. Ambassador Levine also represents the U.S. Mission in biannual high-level dialogues between the United States and Portugal to advance shared priorities in defense and security, economic development, and regional and global issues.
Previously, Ambassador Levine served as Commissioner at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. where she helped curate and expand the museum’s permanent collection. She also served as Trustee at the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C, where she chaired the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy, providing guidance and leadership for its international exchange programs, exhibition development, and strategic and business partnerships. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Ambassador Levine earned her B.A. Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and is a published author.