More About Eric Watnik
Throughout Watnik's career, he has directed strategies that influenced audiences across 60+ countries, managed portfolios exceeding $100M, and strengthened reputation for institutions facing complex challenges. Watnik comes to the agency after 26 years at the United States State Department, most recently as Senior Advisor for the Americas, where he drove cross-agency communications strategy for a major White House initiative focused on Latin America; managed high-level stakeholder alignment, media engagement, and narrative development in support of U.S. foreign policy goals; led interagency messaging across Cabinet-level departments to support senior diplomatic travel and policy rollout; and managed high-stakes inquiries and sensitive diplomatic messaging in complex environments.
Other roles Watnik held in the State Department include Regional Director of Public Affairs, African Affairs; Senior Director of Communications (based in Kenya); Senior Director, Compliance, Office of Inspector General; Director of Communications, U.S. Embassy, Budapest, Hungary; Deputy Ambassador for the Marshall Islands; and Spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.