PADL | Program Participants

Mr. Kalvin EHMES

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

In his position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs, Mr. Ehmes is responsible for handling diplomatic relations between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Asian nations. He also provides policy positions and related information regarding Asian regional affairs and international organizations. Mr. Ehmes has previously attended a training course, “Building Up Diplomatic Tradecraft,” sponsored by the Australian government, as well as completing an “International Graduate Program” in Canberra, Australia in 2018. Through the Pacific Advancement of Diplomatic Leadership (PADL) program, he hopes to learn more about multilateralism, regional geopolitics, and diplomatic tradecraft in negotiations.

Mr. Jaeger FREDRICK

Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Fredrick currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs. In this position he oversees all European countries with which the FSM has diplomatic relations. He previously served as a Foreign Service Officer II for the Department of Foreign Affairs where he was also working to promote his country’s foreign policy priorities. Through the PADL program, he is looking forward to developing his knowledge of diplomatic protocol, multilateral diplomacy, foreign policy and interagency coordination, as well as his leadership abilities.

Mr. Kehlen HALBERT

Deputy Assistant Secretary for American Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

In his position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for American Affairs, Mr. Halbert is the principal foreign service officer responsible for the formulation of policy recommendations on FSM relations with countries in both North and South America. He conducts analyses and research on issues concerning FSM-American relations, as well as representing the FSM in international meetings.Through PADL, he is anticipating improving his negotiation and communication skills, as well as expanding his knowledge of diplomatic protocol and etiquette.

Mr. Kenmore SALVADOR

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pacific Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Salvador is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pacific Affairs and, in this position, leads the development of FSM foreign policy recommendations in the Pacific region. He is also charged with maintaining and strengthening diplomatic relations with other Pacific nations, as well as regional and international organizations, in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, and orders. He has previously completed a course entitled “Diplomatic Tradecraft and the Multilateral System,” and looks forward to the opportunity to expand his diplomatic skillset throughout this program.

Ms. Stacy YLEIZAH

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

Ms. Yleizah oversees the FSM Department of Foreign Affair’s subdivision of Multilateral Affairs. She has previously undergone diplomatic training sponsored by the governments of Singapore and, separately, Australia. She is looking forward to the opportunity to develop her skills in the art of negotiation, public speaking, and written communications, to ultimately be used to serve the FSM’s foreign policy priorities on the world stage.

Ms. Asia CHONG GUM

Chief of Training and Staff Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ms. Chong Gum is the Chief of Training and Staff development for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). In this position, she is responsible for the capacity development of the ministry’s staff, focusing on the development of a career pathand enhancing the skillsets of foreign service officers. She organized a training on Climate Change Diplomacy with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – the first ever training conducted by UNITAR in the Marshall Islands. She will soon be transitioning to serve as a foreign service officer herself and is looking forward to the training provided by PADL to assist in her transition.

Ms. Asia CHONG GUM

Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

As a Foreign Service Officer, Ms. Chong Gum works to maintain and strengthen the operations of the Bilateral Bureau through means of assistance and engagement with RMI’s bilateral partners. She has previous experience working in the Environmental Protection Authority in the Marshall Islands, attending international meetings, and working with multinational coalitions on environmental policy. She anticipates building her leadership skills and enhancing her network as she continues to grow her diplomatic career.

Ms. Elbon TERI

Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Regional Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ms. Teri is the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Regional Affairs. In this position she provides advice and policy recommendations on issues of regional importance. She also works to enhance progress on regional priorities and enhance deeper regionalism among Pacific Island nations. Through the PADL program, she hopes to strengthen her ability to promote RMI foreign policy in various international forums, as well as gaining more professional tools and techniques in multilateral diplomacy, leadership, public speaking, and interagency coordination.

Mr. Balton NATHAN

Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Mr. Nathan serves as a Foreign Service Officer for the RMI Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is responsible for enhancing diplomatic relations with other nations. His position also serves to represent and advance the foreign policy priorities of the RMI on the global stage. As a junior member of the foreign service, he wishes to better learn and understand his role and sharpen his diplomatic skills, so that he may continue to be of service to the RMI government in the international arena.

Ms. Tanya TERRY

Foreign Service Officer, Bureau of Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

A Foreign Service Officer in the Bureau of Bilateral Affairs, Ms. Terry assists in maintaining and strengthening the cooperative work of the bureau. Specifically, she assists in drafting official communications for the Secretary and the Minister, as well as initiating draft diplomatic notes and serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary when needed. Previously, Ms. Terry was a caseworker in gender-based violence and worked to provide psychosocial support and case advocacy to women and girls, both locally and internationally. She continues to be a fierce advocate of human rights, and freedom from gender-based violence, and has used her experience to conduct trainings for the community.

Ms. Dorianne KABUA

First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Taiwan

Ms. Kabua is the First Secretary of the Embassy of the RMI in Taiwan. In this position, she assists the Ambassador in formulating and overseeing the implementation of policies and recommendations. She also formulates reports on situations that may impact the RMI and recommends any courses of action, among other responsibilities. In her previous work as an elementary school teacher, she developed numerous soft skills that have assisted in her diplomatic work. Through PADL, she hopes to further develop her diplomatic knowledge, so that she may continue building positive cooperation and mutual support between the RMI and other nations.

Ms. Shelley DEBLAIR REMENGESAU

Special Assistant to the Vice President, Ministry of State

Ms. deBlair Remengesau currently works as the Special Assistant to the Vice President of the Republic of Palau. In this role she is responsible for correspondence and speech writing for the Vice President and Minister of State, as well as assisting both the Foreign and Domestic Affairs Bureaus with relevant activities affecting the Vice President and Minister. She frequently attends regional and international events, accompanying the Minister of State or on her behalf. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy - Foreign Policy at Liberty University. She hopes to gain a wider understanding of the field through this program, working to enhance both her in-person and written diplomatic skills.

Mr. Smau ERUNGEL

Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of State

As a Foreign Service Officer for Palau, Mr. Erungel is currently assigned to work as the desk officer for the Republic of Palau in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In this role he assists in the planning, organization, and execution of various projects within the Agency, as well as other trade and technical assistance programs outside of it. Before his work as a diplomat, Mr. Erungel achieved the rank of Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Through PADL, he anticipates bettering his skills in international diplomacy more generally, including in negotiations and foreign policy. An improved understanding of relations between other countries would serve him well in his current position, as well as future roles in the diplomatic service.

Mr. Dillon Andres MERIANG

Foreign Service Officer III, Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of State

Mr. Meriang serves as a Foreign Service Officer III in Palau, which involves being posted at overseas missions and conducting substantial analyses of foreign policy recommendations and decisions. In this position, he is responsible for supervising all Foreign Service Officers I and II and ensuring their compliance with processes and methodologies. He has previously participated in trainings to develop his writing and interpersonal diplomatic skills, as well as a more general exposure to the work of diplomacy. He is looking forward to developing his negotiation skills for practical use in meetings, conferences, and legislation.

Ms. Ekei-Lalii REMENGESAU

Chief, Division of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of State

As the Chief of the Division of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Remengesau maintains and protects diplomatic relations with bilateral partners by coordinating international meetings and conferences and providing governmental protocol to visiting dignitaries. She has been involved in numerous regional meetings and conferences and wishes to use her PADL training to increase her knowledge of public speaking, writing, negotiation, and general diplomacy. She hopes to gain practical skills that will help her to continue to advance her country’s national interests on the global stage throughout her career.

Ms. Roxanne BLESAM

Chief of Staff, Ministry of State

Ms. Blesam serves as the Chief of Staff for the Ministry of State in Palau. She is responsible for supervising key staff at the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of State. Ms. Blesam also coordinates the work of the two offices, which includes ensuring their operational effectiveness and representing the executive leadership in delegated projects that are key to achieving the offices’ priorities. Previously, she served as the CEO of Palau’s environmental regulatory agency, the Environmental Quality Protection Board. In this position, she also served as Chair of the FAS Director’s Meeting from 2019 to 2020, discussing various programs of relevance to the Freely Associated States.

Ms. Jordan YURI

Foreign Service Officer III, Ministry of State

Ms. Yuri drafts high level communications from Palau to foreign governments and entities in her position as a Foreign Service Officer III. She also provides briefings regarding diplomatic matters to the Offices of the President and Vice President, as well as seeking, reviewing, and facilitating opportunities of foreign assistance to the Republic of Palau. She previously served as an Education Attaché in the Embassy of Palau in Taiwan. Subsequently, she participated in diplomatic training with the Clingendael Academy of the Netherlands. She hopes to take advantage of the training provided through PADL to advance her skills in communication and leadership in order to effectively promote Palau’s foreign policy priorities.