Stephens joined the
United States Foreign Service in 1978. Early in her career, Stephens served at U.S. missions in
Trinidad and Tobago (1978–1980) and in the
People's Republic of China (1980–1982). Her tour of duty in South Korea included roles as internal political unit chief at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul (1984–1987) and Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in
Busan (1987–1989). Afterwards, she worked as a political officer at the U.S. missions in
Belgrade and
Zagreb (1991–1992), senior desk officer for the United Kingdom in the Bureau of European Affairs (1992–1994), Director for European Affairs at the
United States National Security Council, 1994–1995, Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in
Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1995–1998, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in
Lisbon, Portugal, 1998–2001, and Director of the Office of Ecology and Terrestrial Conservation at the
United States Department of State, 2001–2003. In September 2015, she was named the William J. Perry Distinguished Fellow at Stanford University's Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC). She speaks several foreign languages including Korean, Serbo-Croatian, and Chinese. As of September 1, 2018 the board of directors at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) announced they approved Ambassador Stephens as the next President & CEO.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Stephens was nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea in 2008. On August 1, 2008, the US Senate confirmed Stephens' nomination as US ambassador to South Korea. On October 8, 2008, Stephens presented her credentials to President
Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. On October 9, 2008, Stephens visited Yesan Middle School where she had taught as a Peace Corps volunteer 33 years before.
Awards and Recognitions Stephens has been honored by the U.S. Government and numerous private organizations. Her awards include the Presidential Meritorious Service Award (2009), the Sejong Cultural Award, the Korea-America Friendship Association Award (2013), and the Kevin O'Donnell Distinguished Friends of Korea Award (2016). She is a trustee at
The Asia Foundation, on the boards of the
Korea Society and Pacific Century Institute, and a member of the
American Academy of Diplomacy. ==Personal life==