Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Susan Rice

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Susan Rice made an impact.

Susan Rice is an American diplomat and public official. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held several high-profile positions, including Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council (2021-2023), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2009-2013), and U.S. National Security Advisor (2013-2017).

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1988: Foreign Policy Aide

In 1988, Susan Rice served as a foreign policy aide to Michael Dukakis during his presidential campaign.

1990: Management Consultant

From 1990, Susan Rice became a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

1992: Management Consultant

In early 1992, Susan Rice was still working as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

1993: Joins National Security Council

In 1993, Susan Rice joined the National Security Council (NSC) as director for international organizations and peacekeeping.

1995: Special Assistant to the President

In 1995, Susan Rice became the special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the NSC.

1997: Confirmation Hearing

In 1997, Rice attended a confirmation hearing chaired by Senator John Ashcroft where she made a great impression on senators, and "sailed through the confirmation process."

1997: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

In 1997, Susan Rice became the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

2001: Managing Director at Intellibridge

From 2001, Susan Rice served as managing director and principal at Intellibridge.

2001: End of Tenure as Assistant Secretary of State

In 2001, Susan Rice's tenure as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs ended.

2002: Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution

From 2002, Susan Rice served as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, focusing on U.S. foreign policy and other topics.

2004: Foreign Policy Advisor

During the 2004 presidential campaign, Susan Rice served as a foreign policy advisor to John Kerry.

November 5, 2008: Named to Obama-Biden Transition Advisory Board

On November 5, 2008, Susan Rice was named to the advisory board of the Obama–Biden transition.

December 1, 2008: Nomination as Ambassador to the United Nations

On December 1, 2008, President-elect Obama announced that he would nominate Susan Rice to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations.

2008: Foreign Policy Advisor

In 2008, Susan Rice became a foreign policy advisor to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, eventually being named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden transition team.

January 22, 2009: Confirmation as Ambassador to the UN

On January 22, 2009, Susan Rice was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

2009: Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution

In 2009, Susan Rice was still working as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

2010: Previous National Security Strategy Update

The National Security Strategy was previously updated in 2010.

March 17, 2011: UN Security Council Resolution 1973 Vote

On March 17, 2011, Susan Rice and Hillary Clinton played major roles in gaining approval for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, with the UK, France, and Lebanon joining the U.S. in voting for it.

April 2011: Criticism of Gaddafi's Denials

In April 2011, amid the Libyan Civil War, Susan Rice criticized Muammar Gaddafi's denials of atrocities as "frankly, delusional" during a closed-door Security Council meeting. She also reported that Gaddafi loyalists were engaging in atrocities.

January 2012: Condemnation of Russia and China

In January 2012, after Russia and China vetoed a Security Council resolution regarding Syria, Susan Rice strongly condemned both countries for obstructing efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict.

September 11, 2012: Benghazi Attack

On September 11, 2012, a U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi was attacked. In the aftermath, on September 16, Rice appeared on interview shows to discuss the attacks using provided talking points.

November 2012: Republican Criticism of Rice's Statements

In November 2012, House Republicans criticized Susan Rice's statements regarding the Benghazi attack, suggesting she should not be considered for Secretary of State.

December 13, 2012: Withdrawal from Secretary of State Consideration

On December 13, 2012, Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration for Secretary of State due to controversy surrounding statements made about the Benghazi attack.

June 5, 2013: Appointment as National Security Advisor

On June 5, 2013, Susan Rice was chosen to succeed Tom Donilon as National Security Advisor.

July 1, 2013: Sworn in as National Security Advisor

On July 1, 2013, Susan Rice was officially sworn in as the National Security Advisor.

August 2013: Condemnation of Rabaa Massacre

In August 2013, Susan Rice condemned the Rabaa massacre in Egypt, where Egyptian security forces killed over 1,000 people during anti-government protests.

August 2013: Opposition to Congressional Authorization for Military Strikes Against Syria

In August 2013, Susan Rice was the lone dissenter in Obama's national security team, arguing against seeking congressional authorization for military strikes against Syria following the Assad regime's use of sarin gas.

2013: Appointment as National Security Advisor

In 2013, Susan Rice was named National Security Advisor by President Barack Obama.

2013: Continuation of U.S. Support for Kiir Administration

In 2013, when the South Sudanese Civil War broke out, the U.S., under Susan Rice's influence, continued its support for President Kiir's administration despite reports of government atrocities.

May 2014: Visit to Israel for Nuclear Talks

In May 2014, Susan Rice traveled to Israel for meetings with Israeli officials, during which nuclear talks with Iran were discussed.

July 2014: Support for Israel's Right to Self-Defense

In July 2014, Susan Rice expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict.

2015: Support for Major U.S. Efforts

During her tenure as National Security Advisor, Susan Rice supported major U.S. efforts such as the Iran nuclear deal of 2015, the fight against the Islamic State, the Ebola epidemic response, the reopening to Cuba, and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

2015: Criticism of Netanyahu's Speech to Congress

In 2015, Susan Rice criticized Benjamin Netanyahu for agreeing to speak to Congress about Iran's nuclear program without coordinating with the Obama administration.

2015: Release of 2015 National Security Strategy

In 2015, Susan Rice released the 2015 National Security Strategy, outlining an "ambitious yet achievable agenda" for U.S. foreign policy, defense, and national security.

2015: Visit to Pakistan and Warning on Militant Attacks

In 2015, Susan Rice visited Pakistan and warned Pakistani leaders about the threat to regional security posed by militants based in Pakistan conducting attacks in Afghanistan.

2015: Remarks on Chinese Intelligence Operations

In a 2015 speech, Susan Rice addressed the problems of Chinese intelligence operations in the United States, describing it as an economic and national security concern.

December 2016: Al-Nahyan Visit and Meeting with Trump Advisors

In December 2016, UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Trump campaign advisors Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, and Jared Kushner at Trump Tower in New York.

2016: Call for Arms Embargo Against South Sudan

In 2016, Susan Rice joined calls for an arms embargo against South Sudan, but the measure failed to win passage at the UN Security Council.

2016: Negotiation of Military Assistance Package for Israel

In 2016, Susan Rice negotiated a new memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel for $38 billion in military assistance, the largest such package in Israel's history.

March 8, 2017: Visiting Research Fellow at American University

On March 8, 2017, Susan Rice became a distinguished visiting research fellow at American University's School of International Service (SIS).

April 3, 2017: Report on Unmasking of Americans in Intelligence Reports

On April 3, 2017, it was reported that Susan Rice, as National Security Advisor, had requested the unmasking of some Americans mentioned in intelligence reports related to Donald Trump's campaign and transition.

August 2017: McMaster's Conclusion on Rice's Actions

In August 2017, Eli Lake reported that H. R. McMaster, Susan Rice's successor as national security advisor, concluded that Rice did nothing wrong regarding the unmasking of American citizens.

September 2017: Testimony to House Intelligence Committee

In September 2017, Susan Rice testified to the House Intelligence Committee about her unmasking requests, stating it was due to a redacted intelligence report concerning a visit by UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in December 2016. Her testimony appeared to allay Republican concerns.

2017: Commander of the Legion of Honour

In 2017, President François Hollande named Susan Rice a commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions to Franco-American relations.

2017: Renewed Chemical Attacks in Syria

In 2017, the Assad regime obtained or produced additional sarin gas for renewed chemical attacks, despite previous efforts to remove chemical weapons.

March 28, 2018: Appointment to Netflix Board of Directors

On March 28, 2018, Susan Rice was appointed to the board of directors at Netflix.

April 2019: Rice Decides Against Senate Run

In April 2019, Susan Rice announced she would not run for Senate in 2020, after considering challenging Susan Collins.

May 2020: Appointment of John Bash to Examine Unmasking

In May 2020, Attorney General Bill Barr appointed federal prosecutor John Bash to examine unmasking conducted by the Obama administration, including the actions of Susan Rice.

July 2020: Considered for Vice Presidential Running Mate

In July 2020, Susan Rice was widely reported to be under consideration as Joe Biden's vice presidential running mate in the 2020 general election.

August 11, 2020: Kamala Harris Selected as Running Mate

On August 11, 2020, Kamala Harris was selected as Joe Biden's running mate, ending Susan Rice's consideration for the position.

September 5, 2020: Rice Joins Biden-Harris Transition Team

On September 5, 2020, Susan Rice was announced as a member of the advisory council of the Biden-Harris Transition Team, which planned Biden's presidential transition.

October 2020: Conclusion of Unmasking Inquiry

In October 2020, John Bash's inquiry into unmasking during the Obama administration concluded with no findings of substantive wrongdoing.

2020: Considered Challenging Susan Collins

In 2020, Susan Rice considered challenging Susan Collins for her Senate seat, after Collins voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

2021: Director of the Domestic Policy Council

In 2021, Susan Rice became the director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Biden administration.

May 2022: Release of Bash's Report

In May 2022, John Bash's previously classified report on unmasking was released, finding no evidence of improper motivations during the 2016 election period or presidential transition.

April 24, 2023: Departure from Domestic Policy Council Announced

On April 24, 2023, President Biden announced that Susan Rice would be departing from her position as director of the Domestic Policy Council on May 26, 2023.