Randi Levine

Levine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Missouri School of Journalism.{{cite web |title=President Biden Announces Key Nominations |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/29/president-biden-announces-key-nominations-9/ |website=The White House |access-date=7 June 2022 |date=29 October 2021}}

Levine has been a member of advisory and governing boards for several organizations, including the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Hamptons International Film Festival, John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Roundabout Theatre Company, NYU Langone Health, High Line, Anna Wintour Costume Center, National Portrait Gallery, New Museum, and Meridian International Center.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-21|title=New US ambassador specializes in art|url=https://tekdeeps.com/new-us-ambassador-specializes-in-art/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030015704/https://tekdeeps.com/new-us-ambassador-specializes-in-art/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 30, 2021|access-date=2021-10-30|website=Tek Deeps|language=en-US}}

On October 29, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Levine to be the ambassador to Portugal. Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 8, 2022. The committee favorably reported her nomination to the Senate floor on March 8, 2022. The entire Senate confirmed Levine by voice vote on March 10, 2022.{{Cite web|date=2022-03-10|title=PN1363 — Randi Charno Levine|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/1363|access-date=2022-03-12|website=Congress.gov|language=en-US}} She presented her credentials to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on April 22, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://pt.usembassy.gov/ambassador-randi-charno-levine-presents-credentials/ |title=Ambassador Randi Charno Levine Presents Credentials |date=2022-04-26 |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=2022-04-27}}

During her tenure, Levine focused on strengthening U.S.-Portugal relations across defense, innovation, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy.{{cite web |title=Ambassador Randi Charno Levine |url=https://pt.usembassy.gov/ambassador-randi-charno-levine/ |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Portugal |access-date=24 January 2025}} In an interview with Expresso's The Heart & Hustle podcast, she emphaszied Portugal's ability to make an outsized impact on the international stage despite its relatively small size.{{cite news |last1=Goncalves |first1=Tony |title=Randi Levine: "Portugal is big in innovation, renewable energy and cultural diplomacy. It's not about size, it's about leadership and heart" |url=https://expresso.pt/podcasts/the-heart-and-hustle-of-portugal/2024-12-20-randi-levine-portugal-is-big-in-innovation-renewable-energy-and-cultural-diplomacy.-its-not-about-size-its-about-leadership-and-heart-af9cc100 |access-date=24 January 2025 |publisher=Expresso |date=2024-12-19}}

Levine played a key role in advancing bilateral defense cooperation, culminating in Portugal's participation in a U.S. defense program shortly before her departure. This agreement, announced in January 2025, marked a significant step in aligning Portugal's military capabilities with NATO standards, enhancing interoperability between Portuguese and U.S. forces.{{cite news |last1=Donn |first1=Natasha |title=Portugal signs up to United States defence programme days before new president takes office |url=https://www.portugalresident.com/portugal-signs-up-to-united-states-defence-programme-days-before-new-president-takes-office/ |access-date=24 January 2025 |publisher=Portugal Resident |date=2025-01-14}}

In 2023, Ambassador Levine hosted the “Art in Embassies” celebration, which featured an exhibit at Casa Carlucci titled “Celebrating Diversity – Democracy and Representation in the Arts.” The event, opened by First Lady Jill Biden, included three days of public panels and discussions across Lisbon with prominent Portuguese and American artists. Levine also spearheaded numerous intercultural initiatives that highlighted the shared artistic heritage of Portugal and the United States. These included Diplomacia Hip Hop with Portuguese rapper Sam the Kid, Diplomacia Culinária featuring American chef Art Smith, and L'USAfonia, a free public concert where Portuguese-African musicians performed traditional American music to commemorate Black History Month.{{cite news |title=US Ambassador to Portugal announces departure |url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-12-17/us-ambassador-to-portugal-announces-departure/94301 |access-date=24 January 2025 |publisher=The Portugal News |date=2024-01-17}}

Levine's husband, Jeffrey E. Levine, is the founder of Douglaston Development and Levine Builders. He has also worked as the president of the Jewish National Fund–USA.{{Cite news|date=2016-05-29|title=Jessica Levine, Evan Sherman|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/fashion/weddings/jessica-levine-evan-sherman.html|access-date=2021-10-30|issn=0362-4331}} Levine has three children.{{Cite web|title=Lunch at the Tribeca Grill with: Jeffrey E. Levine|url=https://www.pranaygupte.com/article.php?index=243|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411165324/http://www.pranaygupte.com/article.php?index=243|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 11, 2016|access-date=2021-10-30|website=www.pranaygupte.com}}

In January 2025, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa awarded Levine the title of Honorary Professor of Art and Diplomacy.{{cite web |title=Católica grants Honorary Professorship to Randi Levine, U.S. Ambassador to Portugal |url=http://ucp.pt/news/catolica-grants-honorary-professorship-randi-levine-us-ambassador-portugal |website=Universidade Católica Portuguesa |access-date=24 January 2025 |date=2025-01-10}}

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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Portugal

Category:American women ambassadors

Category:Cultural diplomacy

Category:Missouri School of Journalism alumni

Category:Philanthropists from New York (state)

Category:University of Missouri alumni