Bernadette M. Allen (born 1956) retired in May 2010, after a 30-year career with the Department of State. She served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Niger from March 2006 through January 2010. Other overseas postings included Consul General in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Chief of Consular Services in the People’s Republic of China, consular and/or general services assignments in the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Burundi. Service years in Washington, DC included desk officer to management level positions with focus on migration, border security and human rights issues in the Bureau of African Affairs, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and the Consular Training Division at the Foreign Service Institute. She received several superior honor awards for outstanding management and leadership at the U.S. Department of State. She speaks fluent French and maintains conversational ability in Mandarin Chinese.

Ms. Allen has served as a member of the Foreign Service Grievance Board since November 2013.

Ms. Allen earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from the George Washington University in Washington, DC (1990).

Ms. Allen has served on the Central College (Pella, IA) Board of Trustees since April 2013. She served as the Central College commencement speaker in May 2013, at which time she was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Central College also honored her with its Alumni Achievement Award in 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Civilization and Linguistics from Central College (1978), as well as a French language certificate from the Sorbonne University in Paris, France (May 1977).

Ms. Allen was born in Washington, DC, and raised in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.