Career Timeline of Kurt Volker: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 4, 2026

How Kurt Volker built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kurt Volker is an American diplomat known for his service as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush. He later became the executive director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership. Most notably, he served as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine under President Donald Trump in a volunteer role. Volker resigned from this position on September 27, 2019.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Kurt Volker graduated from Temple University

In 1984, Kurt Volker graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in International Affairs.

1987: Kurt Volker received M.A. from The George Washington University

In 1987, Kurt Volker was awarded an M.A. in International Relations from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

1988: Volker joined United States Department of State

In 1988, after a short tenure as a CIA analyst, Volker joined the United States Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer.

1994: Volker served in US Embassy in Budapest

From 1994 to 1997, Kurt Volker served in various assignments overseas, including the US Embassy in Budapest.

1997: Volker served as legislative fellow for John McCain

From 1997 to 1998, Kurt Volker served as a legislative fellow on the staff of Senator John McCain.

1997: Volker served as special assistant for Bosnia negotiations

In 1997, Kurt Volker was special assistant to the United States special envoy for Bosnia negotiations, Richard Holbrooke.

1998: Volker became first secretary of the US mission to NATO

In 1998, Kurt Volker became first secretary of the US mission to NATO.

1999: Volker became deputy director in NATO

In 1999, Kurt Volker was sent to deputy director of NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's private office, serving in that position until 2001.

2001: Volker left position as deputy director in NATO

In 2001 Kurt Volker left his position as deputy director of NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's private office.

2002: Volker prepared for Prague summit

In 2002, Kurt Volker, acting director for European and Eurasian Affairs for the National Security Council, was in charge of US preparations for the Prague summit.

2004: Volker prepared for Istanbul summit

In 2004, Kurt Volker, acting director for European and Eurasian Affairs for the National Security Council, was in charge of US preparations for 2004 Istanbul summit of NATO members.

July 2005: Volker became Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

In July 2005, Kurt Volker became the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, serving in that position until he was appointed United States Permanent Representative to NATO in July 2008.

July 2, 2008: Volker became United States Permanent Representative to NATO

On July 2, 2008, Kurt Volker served as United States Permanent Representative to NATO, serving as Ambassador in that position until May 15, 2009.

July 2008: Volker appointed United States Permanent Representative to NATO

In July 2008, Kurt Volker was appointed United States Permanent Representative to NATO by President George W. Bush.

May 15, 2009: Volker ended term as Ambassador to NATO

On May 15, 2009, Kurt Volker ended his term as Ambassador as United States Permanent Representative to NATO.

September 2009: Volker became a Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University

Since September 2009, Kurt Volker has been a Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

October 2009: Volker became a senior advisor at the Atlantic Council

Since October 2009, Kurt Volker has been a senior advisor at the Atlantic Council.

2009: Volker became independent director at The Wall Street Fund Inc

In 2009, Kurt Volker went into the private sector, becoming an independent director at The Wall Street Fund Inc, where he worked until 2012.

2010: Volker served as senior advisor at McLarty Associates

From 2010 to 2011, Kurt Volker served as a senior advisor at McLarty Associates, a global consulting firm.

2011: Volker joined BGR Group

In 2011, Kurt Volker joined BGR Group, a Washington-based lobbying firm and investment bank, where he currently serves as a managing director in the firm's international group.

2011: Volker left McLarty Associates

Kurt Volker left McLarty Associates in 2011.

2012: Volker became executive director of the McCain Institute

In 2012, Kurt Volker became executive director of Arizona State University's McCain Institute for International Leadership when it was launched.

2012: Volker ended his work at The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management Macro Opportunity Fund

In 2012, Kurt Volker ended his work at The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management Macro Opportunity Fund.

2013: Volker joined the board of directors at Capital Guardian Funds Trust

In 2013, Kurt Volker was a member of the board of directors at Capital Guardian Funds Trust.

July 7, 2017: Volker Appointed US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations

On July 7, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appointed Ambassador Kurt Volker as the US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations.

September 27, 2019: Volker Resigned as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine

On September 27, 2019, Kurt Volker resigned from his volunteer position as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine.

2019: Volker resigned from the McCain Institute

In 2019, Kurt Volker resigned from his position as executive director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership.

June 2021: Volker represents US investors in American University Kyiv

In June 2021, Ukrainian media reported that Kurt Volker represents US investors that co-founded American University Kyiv in partnership with Arizona State University.