Esther Brimmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Esther Brimmer
Brimmer circa 2009
25th Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
In office April 6, 2009 – September 5, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Brian H. Hook
Succeeded by	Bathsheba N. Crocker
Personal details
Born	Esther Diane Brimmer 1961 (age 63–64)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Steven Beller
Children	1
Relatives	Andrew Brimmer (Father)
Education	Pomona College (BA) New College, Oxford (MA, PhD)

Esther Diane Brimmer (born in 1961) is an American expert in how countries work together. She used to be a very important person in the United States government. She served as the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. This means she helped the U.S. work with international groups like the United Nations.

In June 2013, she left her government job. She went back to working at universities. Since January 2017, she has been the leader (executive director and CEO) of NAFSA. This group helps people learn about international education. Before that, from October 2013 to January 2017, she was a professor at George Washington University. She taught about international affairs.

Learning and Education

Esther Brimmer has studied a lot. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), from Pomona College. This college is in Claremont, California. She then went to New College, Oxford in the United Kingdom. There, she earned two more degrees: a Master of Arts (MA) and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). Both of these were in International Relations.

In 2019, Pomona College gave her an honorary doctorate. This is a special award for her achievements. She also went to the National Cathedral School for Girls. She graduated in 1979. She was one of the first African American students at Beauvoir. This was the National Cathedral Elementary School in the 1960s.

Working in Government and Beyond

Esther Brimmer has had a long career. She has worked for the United States government. She has also worked for groups that study international issues. From 1999 to 2001, she worked at the U.S. Department of State. Her job was to help plan policies. She focused on the European Union, Western Europe, and the United Nations. She also worked on security issues with many countries.

Before that, from 1995 to 1999, she managed projects. This was at the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict. She also helped the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. This was from 1993 to 1995. From 1991 to 1993, she worked for the United States House of Representatives. She helped with laws for the Democratic Study Group. After her studies at Oxford, she worked as a consultant for McKinsey.

From September 2005, Brimmer was a visiting professor. She taught at the College of Europe.

Becoming Assistant Secretary

President Barack Obama chose Esther Brimmer for a big job. He nominated her to be the Assistant Secretary of State. This happened on March 11, 2009. The United States Senate approved her on April 2, 2009. Before this, she was a director at the Center for Transatlantic Relations. This center is part of Johns Hopkins University.

She is also a member of several important groups. These include the Atlantic Council Board of Directors. She is also part of the Council on Foreign Relations. And she is a member of Women in International Security.

She left her job at the State Department in June 2013. She went back to teaching and research at universities.

Family Life

Esther Brimmer comes from an important family. Her father was Andrew Brimmer. He was the first African American to serve as a governor of the Federal Reserve System. This is a very important part of the U.S. financial system.

Esther Brimmer is married to Steven Beller. He is a historian and an author. They have one son together. His name is Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller. He is a playwright, which means he writes plays.