Suzan G. LeVine

LeVine was born near Philadelphia and grew up in Ventnor City, New Jersey. In 1993, she earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering with aerospace applications and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brown University.{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|title=Ambassador Suzan G. LeVine {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|newspaper=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2016-11-29|language=en-US}} She also received an honorary doctorate from EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, in October 2017.{{cite web|last=Aubort|first=Sarah|date=2017-07-10|title=994 nouveaux diplômés à l'EPFL|url=https://actu.epfl.ch/news/994-nouveaux-diplomes-a-l-epfl/|language=fr}}

Her career started in technology with college summer internships at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon's Data Storage System's Center. She then started her first full-time job working on operating systems at Microsoft in 1993 where she worked on MS-DOS and then helped launch Windows 95. She ran communications for the Expedia IPO and stayed with Expedia until 2005, becoming Vice President of Sales & Marketing in the Luxury Travel Division. In 2009, she went back to Microsoft and focused on education until 2012.

In 2006, she and Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum co-founded the Kavana Cooperative. The same year, she co-founded the advisory board for the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington with Bill Henningsgaard.{{Cite web|url=http://ilabs.uw.edu/i-labs-news/remembering-bill-henningsgaard|title=Remembering Bill Henningsgaard {{!}} Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS)|website=ilabs.uw.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213558/http://ilabs.uw.edu/i-labs-news/remembering-bill-henningsgaard|url-status=dead}}

Suzan "Suzi" LeVine was Democratic Party Fundraiser for the Obama-Biden 2008 and 2012 campaigns {{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/how-democratic-party-fundraiser-and-former-ambassador-suzi-levine-came-to-run-embattled-state-unemployment-system/|title=How Democratic Party fundraiser and former ambassador Suzi LeVine came to run Washington state's embattled unemployment system|date=2 June 2020}}

LeVine was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein on May 30, 2014, and took up her position in Bern on June 2, 2014.{{Cite news|title=LeVine, Suzan|newspaper=U.S. Department of State|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/226418.htm|access-date=2016-11-29}} LeVine took her oath of office while placing a hand on a Kindle containing the U.S. Constitution and, thereby, became the first U.S. official to be sworn in on an e-reader.{{Cite news|title=U.S. ambassador sworn into office via Kindle|language=en-US|newspaper=PBS NewsHour|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/u-s-ambassador-sworn-office-via-kindle/|access-date=2016-11-29}}{{Cite news|date=2014-06-11|title=Ambassador LeVine Donates eReader to Museum für Kommunikation in Bern {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|language=en-US|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/ambassador-levine-donates-ereader-museum-fur-kommunikation-bern/?_ga=2.87673048.1521796980.1521416469-1211735465.1511106686|access-date=2018-03-19}} She resigned her post in Bern on January 20, 2017.{{Cite news|last=swissinfo.ch|first=Anand Chandrasekhar|title=US ambassador to leave on presidential inauguration day - SWI swissinfo.ch|newspaper=SWI swissinfo.ch|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hasty-exit_us-ambassador-to-leave-on-presidential-inauguration-day/42598600|access-date=2016-11-29}} On July 9, 2018, she joined Governor Jay Inslee's cabinet as the new Commissioner of the Employment Security Department.{{Cite web|title=Inslee names former Ambassador Suzi LeVine as new Employment Security Department Commissioner {{!}} Governor Jay Inslee|url=https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-names-former-ambassador-suzi-levine-new-employment-security-department|access-date=2018-05-08|website=www.governor.wa.gov|language=en|archive-date=2018-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508212025/https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-names-former-ambassador-suzi-levine-new-employment-security-department|url-status=dead}}

During her tenure, LeVine worked to expand foreign direct investment (FDI) into the U.S.,{{Cite news|url=https://www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2015/01/fact-sheet-white-house-swiss-foreign-direct-investment-united-states|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403051958/http://www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2015/01/fact-sheet-white-house-swiss-foreign-direct-investment-united-states|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2015|title=Fact Sheet --The White House -- Swiss Foreign Direct Investment in the United States|date=2015-02-02|work=Department of Commerce|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://boonea.com/the-etiquette-of-meeting-an-united-states-ambassador/|title=The etiquette of meeting a United States ambassador › Boonea|work=Boonea|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US}} counter violent extremism,{{Cite web|url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-56123.html|title=Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to attend Washington summit on countering violent extremism|last=Council|first=The Federal|website=www.admin.ch|language=en|access-date=2018-03-18}} enable American citizens in Switzerland to regain access to banking services,{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/living-in-ch/banking-resources/|title=Banking Resources {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}} and advance a global diversity dialogue.{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/ambassador-levine-eric-levine-participate-zurich-pride/|title=Ambassador LeVine and Eric LeVine Participate in Zurich Pride {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|date=2016-06-11|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}} She also advocated for female participation in entrepreneurship and technical fields, supporting women in both corporations and universities.{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=Why Diversity Matters {{!}} Suzie LeVine & Eric LeVine {{!}} TEDxZurich|date=2017-01-19|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w21Gx3Dcbdo|accessdate=2018-03-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://events.codeweek.eu/view/12585/an-evening-of-code-for-beginners/|title=An evening of code - for beginners|website=events.codeweek.eu|language=en|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/suzan-suzi-levine/|title=Geek of the Week: U.S. Ambassador Suzan LeVine draws on tech experience to enlighten and engage|date=2016-09-16|newspaper=GeekWire|access-date=2016-11-29|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/ambassador-levine-visits-adolphe-merkle-institute-university-fribourg/|title=Ambassador LeVine Visits the Adolphe Merkle Institute at the University of Fribourg {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|date=2016-04-26|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US}}

While in Switzerland, she was instrumental in the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent between Switzerland and the United States to collaborate on apprenticeship{{Cite web|url=https://www.commerce.gov/media/photo/secretary-pritzker-signs-joint-declaration-intent-between-us-and-switzerland-swiss-vice|title=Secretary Pritzker signs a joint declaration of intent between the U.S. and Switzerland with Swiss Vice President Johann Schneider-Ammann on apprenticeships, building skills, and expanding careers|website=Department of Commerce|language=en|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319085120/https://www.commerce.gov/media/photo/secretary-pritzker-signs-joint-declaration-intent-between-us-and-switzerland-swiss-vice|url-status=dead}} and partnered with 30 companies to bring and/or expand their Swiss style apprenticeship model into the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/swiss-companies-bring-apprenticeship-programs-u-s/|title=More Swiss Companies Bring Apprenticeship Programs to the U.S. {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|date=2017-01-16|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}} She also secured billions of dollars in investment and hundreds of jobs into the United States{{Cite news|url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/article/OP/20150520/NEWS/150529951|title=ABB unveils robot manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en}} – with $3B alone announced at a special White House round table she catalyzed with Swiss business and government leaders.{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/leading-swiss-executives-announce-plans-invest-bring-apprenticeships-u-s-white-house-meeting/|title=Leading Swiss Executives Announce Plans to Invest, Bring Apprenticeships to the U.S. During White House Meeting {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|date=2015-01-13|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}}

During their time in Switzerland, Ambassador LeVine and her husband, Eric LeVine, hosted a number of visitors from the United States to view the Swiss system. Most notable was a delegation from Colorado led by Governor John Hickenlooper.{{Cite news|url=https://ch.usembassy.gov/colorado-governor-hickenlooper-visits-switzerland/|title=Colorado Governor Hickenlooper Visits Switzerland {{!}} U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|date=2016-01-26|work=U.S. Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}}

Since returning from Switzerland, LeVine and her husband have been speaking across the U.S. and around the globe at events, round-tables, and with individuals in government, academia, business, and philanthropy about what can be learned, derived, and applied from the Swiss dual education system.{{Cite news|url=http://www.westgov.org/news/colorado-governor-hickenlooper-workforce-success-requires-innovation|title=Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper: Workforce development success requires innovation|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/nevada-ramping-up-apprenticeship-programs/|title=Nevada ramping up apprenticeship programs|date=2017-07-15|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}} She and her husband are convinced that there are many pathways to success, and that an "Apprenticeship Renaissance," as she calls it, is a key to the long-term economic growth in the United States and a key to more people than ever achieving their American Dream.{{Cite news|url=https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2016/11/american-apprenticeship-renaissance-making|title=An American Apprenticeship Renaissance is in the Making|date=2016-11-17|newspaper=Department of Commerce|access-date=2016-11-29|archive-date=2016-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130040905/https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2016/11/american-apprenticeship-renaissance-making|url-status=dead}}

She now serves on the CareerWise Colorado board,{{Cite web|url=http://www.careerwisecolorado.org/team|title=Team|website=CareerWise|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-18}} the Markle Foundation's Rework America Task Force,{{Cite news|url=https://www.markle.org/rework-america|title=Rework America Task Force|date=2017-09-20|work=Markle {{!}} Advancing America's Future|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en}} ETH's CEMETS International Advisory Board,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cemets.ethz.ch/people0.html|title=People|website=www.cemets.ethz.ch|language=en|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151204/http://www.cemets.ethz.ch/people0.html|url-status=dead}} and the Seattle Region Partnership. She also served on Governor Inslee's Career Connect Taskforce{{Cite web|url=http://wtb.wa.gov/careerconnectwa_taskforce.asp|title=careerconnectwa_taskforce|website=wtb.wa.gov|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319085337/http://wtb.wa.gov/careerconnectwa_taskforce.asp|url-status=dead}} which completed its work and made its recommendations Feb 20, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/wagovernor/task-force-outlines-next-steps-for-bolstering-apprenticeships-career-connected-learning-in-216c8c1da2d5|title=Task force outlines next steps for bolstering apprenticeships, career-connected learning in…|last=Office|first=WA Governor's|date=2018-02-20|website=Medium|access-date=2018-03-18}}

As the commissioner for the Washington State Employment and Security Department, LeVine led an agency that is responsible for the state's unemployment insurance system, the new paid family and medical leave program, the funding administration for the WorkSource system, the labor market information, aspects of the H-2A and H-2B foreign guest worker programs, and the Washington State Service Corps program. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the ESD was the target of an international fraud scheme. 87,000 claims worth $650,000,000 was sent overseas to fraudulent accounts.{{cite web|title=Agency: Nearly 87,000 bogus unemployment claims filed in Washington state|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/agency-nearly-87000-bogus-unemployment-claims-filed-in-washington-state/ |work=The Seattle Times |date=3 August 2020 |accessdate=November 23, 2020}}

She is a member of the Council of American Ambassadors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.americanambassadors.org/members/suzi-levine|title=Council of American Ambassadors|access-date=2018-03-25|language=en}}

In 2021, LeVine served as the acting Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) under the Biden administration.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-29|title=Washington state's departing unemployment boss to manage unemployment program in U.S. Labor Department, report says|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/washington-states-departing-unemployment-boss-to-manage-unemployment-program-in-u-s-labor-department-report-says/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}} She resigned after seven months citing the job's impact on her family.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-24|title=Former Washington state employment chief leaves job in Biden Labor Department|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/former-washington-state-employment-chief-leaves-job-in-biden-labor-department/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}

LeVine has volunteered as a community organizer and resource raiser for several Democratic campaigns, most notably, for Obama for America. She currently serves as a Deputy National Finance Chair for the DNC{{Cite web|url=http://www.p2016.org/parties/dnc101117pr.html|title=Oct. 11, 2017 DNC Press Release - Tom Perez Announces New DNC Deputy National Finance Chairs|website=www.p2016.org|access-date=2018-03-18}} and as an Advisory Council Member for the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Council).

She and her husband, Eric LeVine, CEO of CellarTracker, have two children, Sidney and Talia LeVine.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

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{{s-ttl|title=United States Ambassador to Liechtenstein|years=2014–2017}}

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Category:1969 births

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Liechtenstein

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Switzerland

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:American women ambassadors

Category:Brown University School of Engineering alumni

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American women