Fay Hartog Levin

Senior Adviser, European Affairs

Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin was the 65th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 2009-2011. In that capacity, she was Chief of Mission of an Embassy which included 15 federal agencies and over 250 employees. Her responsibilities included policy support, business advocacy, and public outreach. In addition to Embassy management, her areas of focus and impact included a “Green Agenda,” engagement with diverse audiences (leaders in government, business, education, culture and religion), and public diplomacy through cultural exchanges.

Prior to her appointment as ambassador, Ms. Levin was a senior consultant at Res Publica Group in Chicago (2006–2009). At Res Publica, she advised clients on all aspects of internal and external communications and relationship building, emphasizing the nonprofit and cultural sector. She assisted nonprofits to develop strategic partnerships, to leverage their visibility, and to maximize their support among traditional and non-traditional audiences and funders.

Previously, at Chicago's Field Museum, Ambassador Levin served on the executive management team as vice president for external affairs from 1997-2005. In that capacity, she led the Museum's campaign for public funding. She was the Museum's liaison to the federal, state, and city governments and led the Museum’s outreach activities to a variety of community organizations. In her capacity as vice president, she supervised the department of public services, human resources, and information technology.

Ambassador Levin began her career as a legal adviser to the Illinois State Board of Education (1977–81), advising the state superintendent and regional superintendents of education on the interpretation and application of the Illinois School Code. In private practice, she joined the law firm Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather and Geraldson (1982–1997), representing primarily school boards, private and public colleges, and social service agencies. She published many articles and was a frequent speaker on a variety of topics related to school and employment law and crisis management.

Ambassador Levin has been an active member of Chicago’s civic community. She currently serves as a senior adviser of European affairs to The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was a member of the Illinois Arts Alliance Board from 1997–2009, and served as its Chairman from 2006–2008. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Merit School of Music, DePaul University and Columbia College Chicago. She was a member of the advisory board of US Bank in Chicago and the board of the Chicago Area Central Committee. She has also served on the board of the North Suburban Special Education District Foundation and the National Council of School Attorneys. She was the founder and chair of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys (1990–2).

Ambassador Levin is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Russian language and literature. She received her JD from Loyola University School of Law.