Roshni Nirody Ostergaard

Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat), U.S. Department of State

Roshni is a US Diplomat and serves as the Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Embassy Bangkok

1) What was your inspiration for working in diplomacy?

I've always been keenly interested in a career in public service. Still, I also have a longstanding love for travel and adventure and a keen interest in foreign languages and cultures. I didn't learn about the U.S. Foreign Service until after graduate school, but it scratched all the itches. I joined thinking I would only do one assignment, and now, seven assignments later, it still feels like worthwhile, challenging, and rewarding work. (Plus, I have a pretty short attention span and a lot of curiosity about most things, so the opportunity to keep moving around, working in different environments, meeting new people, and working on different issues is really a gift.)

2) What is your proudest accomplishment?

Much of our work is behind the scenes and equal parts glitzy and a grind. I've been privileged to help write speeches for two U.S. presidents, work on the development and passage of anti-human trafficking legislation in Iraq that has helped save lives, and negotiate parts of major international trade agreements that protect consumers around the world. But ultimately, these were all team efforts. My proudest moments have been building and growing diverse, talented teams in six countries worldwide and seeing how our efforts have collectively transformed the communities we’ve touched for the better. 

3) How did you get your first opportunity in your field?

Before joining the Foreign Service, I worked in Silicon Valley and for National Geographic. In both cases, the opportunities came from keeping my ears open, reflecting on what I wanted, and then stepping off the cliff to pursue opportunities (for interviews, submitting proposals, competitive fellowships, etc.) when the moment was ripe. The Foreign Service was an exam-based process I initially undertook simply because I wanted to keep a friend who wanted to take the exam company for the afternoon. Serendipity has played a big role in my life, as it does for many of us. 

4) Who has been your biggest influence? (e.g., mentors, books, leaders)

I'm so fortunate to have a cadre of mentors (former university professors, friends, and colleagues) who have been an indispensable fount of guidance and insight over the years. As for books, a few that have been very meaningful to me have been the following: 

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World- Cal Newport

• The Intuitive Way - Penney Peirce

• Crucial Conversations- Tools for Talking When Stakes are High- Joseph Grenny 

5) If you could change one thing about the world, then what would it be?

It strikes me that many of the challenges facing the world today-- climate issues, war, gun violence, the epidemic of loneliness/mental health issues, etc.-- are to an extent related to a general lack of empathy and awareness that we're all part of one collective and, while it might not seem like it, interconnected. If it were possible to infuse this sort of universal consciousness in every single person around the world, individuals might be less inclined to divide, harm, and seek to control others and the planet for their own personal, fleeting gain.