Nicole Otallah began her assignment as Deputy Chief of Mission to U.S. Embassy Podgorica in August 2023.

Ms. Otallah most recently served as Deputy Director of the Entry-Level Division of the Office of Career Development and Assignments, coaching a team that assigned and mentored the Department’s 2,000 Entry-Level Officers.  From 2015-2017, she worked as the Asia Team Lead in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Office of Europe and Asia Programs.  In this capacity, Ms. Otallah oversaw bilateral assistance totaling $50 million for 15 countries.

Ms. Otallah’s overseas assignments have included Political-Economic-Commercial Chief in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Political Officer in U.S. Embassy Mexico City, and Human Rights Officer in U.S. Embassy Guatemala City.  Domestically, she has also worked as a Political Officer in the Office for European Union Affairs, as a Career Development Officer, and as a staff assistant.  She joined the Department of State in May 2002.

Ms. Otallah holds a B.A. in international relations and psychology from the College of William and Mary and a M.A. in Strategic Security Studies from National Defense University.  She speaks Montenegrin, Spanish, and some French.  Hailing originally from Culpeper, Virginia, she has two children.