Jenny Bridgers Palmer ’03 is living with her family in Moscow, where she serves as the spokesperson/press attache for the U.S. Embassy. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the majority of U.S. diplomats and embassy staff were sent home, but Jenny remained with a small crew dedicated to representing U.S. interests to Russians and the Russian government.

Tell us about your life since graduation.

I studied at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. Living in such an international city offered many opportunities to intern and explore careers in public service. I was lucky enough to discover an internship with the Embassy of Afghanistan, which had just been reopened after the fall of the Taliban in 2003, where I first started to understand the work of a diplomat. I was able to study and intern abroad—in Cuba, China, and Argentina—which spurred my desire for an international career. I passed the U.S. Foreign Service exam in 2009 and received my first posting to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador.

What is your current role?

In addition to communicating and representing U.S. policies to Russians and the Russian government, I advise the ambassador, embassy leadership, and the U.S. Department of State on trends in the Russian media landscape and manage relationships with Russian journalists. It's exhilarating to work on a top foreign policy issue that is on the front page of the news every day, but also challenging to confront the Russian government's disinformation, especially since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Can you describe what the conditions are in Moscow and what your job is like?

Surreal. Due to the deterioration of our bilateral relationship with Russia and the expulsion of the majority of our diplomats in Moscow, our embassy only has a skeleton staff. Those of us who remain wear many hats, but are very dedicated to representing U.S. interests during this tense time. Despite the challenging official relationship, I really enjoy meeting ordinary Russians who are doing extraordinary things. Moscow also is an incredible city with world class museums, theaters, and parks to explore.

Tell us about other countries where you’ve lived and worked and why you were drawn to diplomatic service.

U.S. diplomats change postings every two to three years. I've lived/worked in Ecuador, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Russia. I also covered Middle East issues from Washington. Living overseas gives you the opportunity to travel to places off the tourist trail, getting to know a country and its people beyond the stereotypes. It makes you appreciate your own country more when you have to explain it to foreigners. There's also nothing like a shopping trip to Target, walking the aisles of an American grocery store, or that first bite of Chick-fil-A again after living overseas for an extended time.

Diplomacy is about building trust and relationships that allow us to solve the toughest problems. I love the human aspect of this work that requires you to see things from another perspective. The foreign service career constantly forces you to learn something new: a new language, a new city, a new culture, and a new job. The perpetual adaptation every two to three years is certainly more challenging when you add a spouse and kids, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I have the chance to represent my country overseas and also have incredible adventures with my family.

Tell us about your family. How did you and your husband meet and what adventures have you shared together?

My husband, Bo, is a fellow diplomat/foreign service officer. We met during our first assignment at the embassy in Quito, Ecuador. Within a week, we knew each other was "the one." From visiting detained Americans in Ecuadorian prisons, to supporting the U.S. humanitarian responses to floods in Pakistan, to working on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it's been quite an adventure. He keeps me grounded, makes me laugh, and is the most supportive partner I could ask for on this crazy ride.

Tell us about your children.

We have three awesome children: Jack (5), Luke (3), and Hannah (1). With kids close in age who move around the world together, we are grateful they are one another's best friends. Their childhood is very different from my own. So far, they are adapting to this nomadic life well, but being far away from grandparents is hard.

How did going to Woodward affect your life path?

The incredible faculty at Woodward instilled a love of learning that remains with me to this day. Woodward’s culture promoted civic-mindedness and a focus on community service, which inclined me toward a career in public service. The safe, supportive environment built my self-confidence and motivated me to continually challenge myself. The school’s appreciation of diversity instilled a sense of openness that shaped my character. I feel so fortunate to have attended Woodward for seventh-12th grade. I still have tremendous affection for the many teachers and classmates who shaped my experience, including Coach Freer, who encouraged my interest in public service; seventh grade English teacher Ms. Teetes, who taught me to write; and Missy Sanchez, who steered me to a college that was the right fit for me. I also have Woodward to thank for a lifetime of friendship with Alison Burns Henning ’03, my soul sister, who I see at least once a year, no matter where in the world we are!

Do you have advice for current students?

Take advantage of every opportunity to explore and push yourself outside of your comfort zone! I had no idea about the foreign service career path before college. I loved traveling, learning new languages, and exploring new cultures. I also felt a sense of fulfillment from public service. So, I pursued every internship or volunteer opportunity that could give me experience in those fields until I found the right fit for me. Be open minded, work hard, and you’ll be surprised by the things that can come your way.