What’s It Like to Be a Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officer? (2021 Webinar)

This webinar was recorded live on December 2, 2021, and is now available to watch on-demand.

When you successfully complete the Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship and the State Department requirements, you’ll receive an appointment as an Diplomatic Technology Office (DTO), and launch an exciting career traveling the world and supporting diplomacy through technology.

At the time of this webinar recording, the position was Information Management Specialist (IMS). The newly announced career path of DTO reflects the evolving role of information technology professionals in the Foreign Service

Four DTOs who have served in the Foreign Service all around the world come together for this panel discussion to share their experiences. This is a great opportunity for you to hear what it’s really like working in the Foreign Service. Discover how these DTOs launched their careers, what their most memorable

Our panelists:

Devon Brown joined the Foreign Service in 2016 and has served in Niger, Peru and Iraq. He is currently serving a one-year IMS assignment in the Department of State Operations Center’s Innovation Office. After his current assignment, Devon will attend the National Intelligence University for a 1-year long-term training program where he will obtain a Master of Science in Information Technology Intelligence.

Breonna Claude joined the Foreign Service in 2015. She spent her first two tours in Monrovia, Liberia and Wellington, New Zealand. She previously served 15 years in the U.S. Army in Maryland and Belgium. Breonna earned her dual bachelor’s degree in political science and information systems management from the University of Maryland, and is pursuing graduate certificates in project management and data analytics from East Carolina University. She is currently an Information Systems Officer at the U.S. Embassy Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Daniel Lewis completed the FAIT Fellowship program and joined the Foreign Service in 2020. He earned his master’s degree in Enterprise Data Systems at Syracuse University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Technology. He received training as a Network and Systems Administration in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 2013. He is currently working at his first post as DTO at the U.S. Embassy Vienna.

Patti Boerner is the Program Manager for the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship. She has been with the Department of State for more than nine years, previously serving as an Employment Program Officer in the Family Liaison Office where she advocated for and provided guidance on family member employment. Prior to working for the Department of State domestically, she served as the Community Liaison Office Coordinator for several years at the U.S. Embassy in London. Her work experience outside of the Department of State includes teaching overseas in Frankfurt, Germany and at public schools in the United States.