Virginia Murray is a career Foreign Service Officer who has served as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom since August 2022. She works to advance U.S. foreign policy goals and support U.S. business objectives in the areas of banking and finance, digital and technology, trade, sanctions, climate change, and energy. Her role in London is informed by her previous postings in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Washington, D.C. Prior to London, Virginia served as the Economic Minister Counselor and for two years as acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin; Political Minister Counselor and acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, and as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, Burma. Virginia received a master’s degree in International Business from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree in Economics and Comparative Area Studies from Duke University. She speaks French, German, and some Arabic. Before joining the State Department, Virginia spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mauritania. She loves living in London and always welcomes recommendations for inspiring hikes.