Islamabad: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has appointed Catherine Connell as the new Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Pakistan. Connell has assumed her responsibilities, and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker welcomed her to the position.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Catherine Connell is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service with more than two decades of diplomatic experience. She has previously served in Pakistan, including assignments in Karachi and Lahore.

Connell previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Juba, South Sudan. Before that, she served as Chief of Staff to the Director General of the Foreign Service at the U.S. Department of State.

Her diplomatic career has included assignments as Management Counselor at the U.S. Embassies in Beirut and Tunis, as well as postings in Karachi, Lahore, London, Kabul and Nassau. Before joining the Department of State, she also worked for the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service.

A native of Florida, Connell holds a degree from the University of Mary Washington and speaks French.

According to available biographical information, Catherine Connell is married to Mohamed Ben-Ameur, and the couple has three sons.

In her new role, Connell will work alongside Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.