Cynthia Stroum

Following her nomination by President Barack H. Obama and confirmation by the United States Senate, Cynthia Stroum was sworn in as the 20th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on December 7th, 2009 in Washington, D.C. She served until January 31, 2011.

Ambassador Stroum is a native of the city of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington. She has served and contributed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes, political campaigns and cultural interests, and has invested in various successful enterprises, including the Starbucks Coffee Company. In 2004, she co-produced a Broadway show, "A Raisin in the Sun," which was nominated for a Tony Award.

Her philanthropic work has included her role as Founding Chair and Board member of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Senior Council member and Board of Ambassadors for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Trustee for her late father's (Samuel Stroum) Trust, Washington State Arts Commissioner by appointment of the Governor, Board of Governors and Life Fellow of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Board of Directors for Birthright Israel, former member of Emily's List, Endowment Fund Board and Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Board of the Jewish Television Network, Donor and President of the CSM Foundation, Board of Directors of the Shoah Foundation, Vice President of the Board and Trustee of University Prepatory Academy, Capital Campaign Co-Chair for Camp Kalsman - children's summer camp, Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California School of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and Visiting Committee for the University of Washington School of Public Health.

As a businesswoman, Ambassador Stroum has had an expansive career as a private investor in such companies and Starbucks and Mosaix, Inc., as well as a commercial television producer and production coordinator for Lorimar Productions and Warner Brothers Studios in California. She was also a managing partner for Kobe Park Building/Nippon Kan Theatre, managing member of Stroum Enterprises LLC, and managing member of Cynthia Stroum Productions LLC (theatrical productions).

Ambassador Stroum has contributed to a number of national and statewide political campaigns and causes, including the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Obama for America, Governor Chris Gregoire re-election campaign, Senator Maria Cantwell executive finance committee and Senator Patty Murray advisory/executive finance committee.

In recognition of her outstanding service to the greater community, Ambassador Stroum has been honored with various distinguished awards, including the Shining Star Award from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), and the Woman of Valor Award presented by Senator Maria Cantwell for her work in health advocacy.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Ambassador Stroum earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Journalism.

Ambassadorial Post(s)

Luxembourg, (2009 - 2011)

Areas of Expertise