Laura Stone

Laura Stone is an American diplomat currently serving as United States Ambassador to the Marshall Islands.

Early life and education
Stone obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and her M.Phil. from Oxford University.

Career
Stone is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister-Counselor. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Coordinator of the Secretary of State’s Office of COVID Response and Health Security. Previously, she was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives. She also served in the office of the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, as well as serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. Stone has served in places like Beijing, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Hanoi. Other assignments in the State Department include roles in the Bureau of Public Affairs, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Stone has also worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Ambassador to the Marshall Islands
On July 11, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Stone to be the U.S. ambassador to the Marshall Islands. Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 2, 2024. She arrived in Majuro on July 9, 2024. She presented her credentials to President Hilda Heine on July 12, 2024.

Awards and recognition
Stone has received several State Department awards, such as the Cordell Hull Award.

Personal life
Stone speaks Chinese.