| Judith Beth Cefkin | |
| Office: | 15th United States Ambassador to Fiji |
| President: | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Term Start: | February 3, 2015 |
| Term End: | February 25, 2018 |
| Predecessor: | Frankie A. Reed |
| Successor: | Joseph Cella |
| Office1: | 12th United States Ambassador to Kiribati |
| President1: | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Term Start1: | February 23, 2015 |
| Term End1: | February 25, 2018 |
| Predecessor1: | Frankie A. Reed |
| Successor1: | Joseph Cella |
| Office2: | 13th United States Ambassador to Nauru |
| President2: | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Term Start2: | August 12, 2015 |
| Term End2: | February 25, 2018 |
| Predecessor2: | Frankie A. Reed |
| Successor2: | Joseph Cella |
| Office3: | 15th United States Ambassador to Tonga |
| President3: | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Term Start3: | April 22, 2015 |
| Term End3: | February 25, 2018 |
| Predecessor3: | Frankie A. Reed |
| Successor3: | Joseph Cella |
| Office4: | 13th United States Ambassador to Tuvalu |
| President4: | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Term Start4: | May 12, 2015 |
| Term End4: | February 25, 2018 |
| Predecessor4: | Frankie A. Reed |
| Successor4: | Joseph Cella |
| Birth Place: | Colorado, U.S. |
| Spouse: | Paul Boyd |
| Alma Mater: | Smith College London School of Economics |
Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is an American diplomat and former ambassador to five nations in Oceania. She served concurrently as the ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while in residence in Suva, Fiji.[1]
Cefkin was born in New York to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin.[2] She grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where her father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University.[3] Cefkin attended Smith College, where she earned a B.A. in government in 1975. She then studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning a master's degree in International Relations in 1977.
After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer.[4] She worked as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C. and also worked in the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress.
In 1983 Cefkin embarked on a career in the Foreign Service. Her assignments have included ones in Thailand, France, Mexico and The Philippines. She served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.[5]
She was nominated by President Barack Obama as ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu on July 9, 2014. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2014.[6] She presented her credentials in the five nations between February and August 2015, and served until February 25, 2018.[7]
Cefkin is married to Paul Boyd, a foreign service officer who has also served as a police officer and member of the U.S. Special Forces.[8]
In addition to English she speaks French, Thai, Bosnian and Spanish.[9]