Earlier this month, Ambassador Susan Ziadeh visited Hotchkiss thanks to the School’s unique partnership with the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Ziadeh served as U.S. ambassador to Qatar from 2011 to 2014 and spent the bulk of her 23-year career at the State Department working in the Middle East and Gulf States. Read her biography.

She shared stories from her career with members of the Hotchkiss community in the Faculty Room on Nov. 13. She also visited classes and enjoyed lunch with students.

Sia Reddy ’26 shared the following reflection about Ziadeh’s visit. “Having lunch with Ambassador Ziadeh was an eye-opening experience. She spoke with students about how her past personal experiences, wise lessons from her parents, and professional interactions that have shaped her global perspective along with the way she conducts diplomacy. She spoke with a sense of calmness, practicality, and clarity on topics that were relevant and of interest to students, which is something I really appreciated. One point that the ambassador made that really stuck with me is how on occasion she has disagreed with certain policies or acts, but as a part of her job, she has had to enact them nevertheless. She has learned to enact policies while ‘softening their edges’ to better align with her personal beliefs and care for citizens. She left one quote with us from her father that I will hold close to me as I navigate the independence and maturity that high school brings forward: ‘You can win all the battles and still lose the war. Choose your battles wisely.’”

Hotchkiss students have benefitted from visiting ambassadors for more than 10 years. The series was started by the late Phil Pillsbury ’53, P’89,’91, GP’20,’22. Hotchkiss is the only high school that partners with the American Academy of Diplomacy, which was facilitated by Bob Beecroft '58.