Niels Marquardt is a skilled leader with decades of experience promoting international trade and investment. His career started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda and included work as an economic officer in US Embassies across France, Germany, Thailand, and the Congo. Marquardt also served as US Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar, the Union of the Comoros, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. With a love of foreign languages, he has successfully interacted with people from other cultures on diverse terms. He has a Master's degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, a Master's degree in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Lewis and Clark College. Marquardt currently serves as Diplomat-in-Residence at his alma mater, where he guides students towards achieving international careers. Additionally, he is active in the Oregon Consular Corps and serves on the advisory boards of GlobalPDX, Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue, and the International Youth Silent Film Festival.