Career Timeline of Kurt Volker: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Kurt Volker is an American diplomat known for his roles as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO under George W. Bush and as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine under Donald Trump. He also served as executive director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership. Volker resigned from his position as Special Representative for Ukraine in September 2019.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Graduation from Temple University

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

1987: Master's Degree from 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: Joins United States Department of State

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

1994: Assignment in Budapest

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

1997: Legislative Fellow for Senator John McCain

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

1997: Special Assistant to Richard Holbrooke

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

1998: First Secretary of the US mission to NATO

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

1999: 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: End of Deputy Director Role at NATO

In 2001, Kurt Volker concluded his service as deputy director in NATO Secretary-General George Robertson's private office.

2002: US Preparations for NATO Prague Summit

In 2002, as acting director for European and Eurasian Affairs for the National Security Council, Kurt Volker oversaw US preparations for the Prague summit of NATO members.

2004: US Preparations for NATO Istanbul Summit

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

July 2005: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

In July 2005, Kurt Volker became the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, a position he held until his appointment as United States Permanent Representative to NATO.

July 2, 2008: Serves as Ambassador to NATO

From July 2, 2008, Kurt Volker served as Ambassador to NATO.

July 2008: Appointment as 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: End of term as Ambassador to NATO

On May 15, 2009, Kurt Volker's term as Ambassador to NATO concluded.

September 2009: 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: Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council

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

2009: Independent Director at The Wall Street Fund Inc

In 2009, Kurt Volker transitioned to the private sector, becoming an independent director at The Wall Street Fund Inc, where he remained until 2012.

2010: Senior Advisor at McLarty Associates

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

2011: End of Senior Advisor Role at McLarty Associates

In 2011, Kurt Volker concluded his role as senior advisor at McLarty Associates.

2011: Joins 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.

2012: 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: End of tenure at The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management Macro Opportunity Fund

In 2012, Kurt Volker's time as an independent director concluded at both The Wall Street Fund Inc and Evercore Wealth Management Macro Opportunity Fund.

2013: Board of Directors at Capital Guardian Funds Trust

Beginning in 2013, Kurt Volker became a member of the board of directors at Capital Guardian Funds Trust.

July 7, 2017: 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: Resignation as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine

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

2019: Resignation from the McCain Institute

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

June 2021: 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.