Victoria Nuland is the Shelby Cullom Davis Professor in the Practice of International Diplomacy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, a Senior Advisory at Covington and Burling LLP, and a board member of the National Endowment for Democracy. She is a retired Career Ambassador in the U.S. diplomatic service, with 35 years of experience in foreign policy and international strategy, negotiation, media and management at the Department of State and the White House. Toria served six U.S. Presidents and 10 Secretaries of State of both political parties.

From April 2021 until March 2024, Toria served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and served concurrently as Acting Deputy Secretary of State beginning in July 2023. Her previous diplomatic assignments include: Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia under Secretary Kerry and President Obama (2013-2016), State Department Press Spokesperson under Secretary Clinton (2011-2013), U.S. Ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush (2005-2008) and Deputy National Security Advisor to Vice President Cheney (2003-2005). She has served overseas in China, Mongolia, Russia and twice at NATO in Brussels. She has also taught at Yale University and the National Defense University, and been a Senior Advisor at the Albright Stonebridge Group. She has a BA in history and international relations from Brown University.