White House names new Philippine Ambassador, press secretary

The Philippines will have a new US Ambassador after the US Senate confirmed the appointment of Mary Kay L. Carlson last May 6, 2022, replacing Kristie Kenny. 

US President Joe Biden nominated Carlson for the post last February. 

Prior to her nomination, Carlson served as deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in India and Argentina. 

She held the post of principal deputy executive secretary on the staff of the Secretary of State in Washington, D.C. 

A foreign service officer since 1985, Carlson also served at the twice, Ukraine, Hong Kong, MoUS diplomatic missions in China zambique, Kenya and the Dominican Republic. 

Carlson has received numerous performance awards, including six Superior Honor Awards. 

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Carlson has a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and holds master’s degrees from Georgetown University and the National War College. She speaks Spanish and Chinese. 

Meanwhile, Pres. Biden named Karine Jean-Pierre as the new White House press secretary, replacing Jen Psaki who is leaving the post on May 13. 

Jean-Pierre, 44, becomes the first African American woman to hold the post of chief White House spokesperson. 

A long-time advisor to Biden, Jean-Pierre served as senior advisor to the Democrat’s 2020 presidential campaign. 

Psaki will reportedly join TV network MSNBC as a streaming show host after leaving the White House. 

The White House press secretary provides daily briefings for the media on the administration’s activities and agenda.