2024-2025 Keynote Speakers
Introducing Ambassadors Nancy Bikoff Pettit and James D. Pettit
We are honored to welcome Ambassadors Nancy Bikoff Pettit and James D. Pettit as keynote speakers for the TU-BCPS Model United Nations Conference! With decades of experience representing the United States across the globe, this diplomatic duo has tackled some of the most pressing challenges of our time—from strengthening NATO alliances and combating Russian disinformation to participating in peace negotiations and managing international crises. Ambassador Nancy Pettit, former U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, and Ambassador James Pettit, former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, bring a wealth of knowledge on diplomacy, security, and global cooperation. Together, they will share insights from their remarkable careers, offering students a rare glimpse into the world of international diplomacy and inspiring the next generation of global leaders.
Meet Nancy Bikoff Pettit
Get ready to be inspired by someone who’s shaped world events, signed important international agreements, and helped countries tackle some of the toughest issues of our time! Nancy Bikoff Pettit isn’t just a diplomat—she’s a powerhouse with decades of experience in building partnerships, promoting peace, and standing up to global challenges.
From 2015 to 2019, Pettit served as the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia. During her tenure, she didn’t just represent the United States—she made things happen. She helped ensure Latvia became one of the few countries to meet NATO’s defense spending goals, worked to stop money laundering and corruption, and helped strengthen the country’s ability to push back against disinformation from Russia.
But her journey started long before Latvia. Ambassador Pettit has traveled the world, taking on roles in Moscow, Ukraine, Austria, and Taiwan. In Kyiv, Ukraine, she ran programs that gave rural communities access to technology, strengthening education and journalism. She also helped negotiate Holocaust property restitution in Austria and reported on the rise of far-right political movements.
And if that’s not impressive enough, she’s tackled global crime and drug trafficking at the United Nations, managed U.S. bilateral relations with top allies like the UK, Germany, and France, and worked on peace efforts in the Middle East.
Ambassador Pettit’s background reflects a deep commitment to diplomacy. She earned a Master’s Degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s Degree in Russian Language and Literature from Vassar College—talk about being ahead of the curve!
She’s also navigated personal adventures, marrying fellow diplomat James D. Pettit, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Moldova. Together, they’ve lived all over the world, experiencing history up close.
At the TU-BCPS Model UN conference, Mrs. Pettit will share stories from her fascinating career and offer insights into how young people like you can make a difference in global affairs. Whether you dream of working in diplomacy, fighting for human rights, or solving international crises, Ambassador Pettit’s story will leave you inspired to take the next step. Don't miss this chance to learn from a leader who has shaped history!
Meet James D. Pettit
Your second keynote speaker is someone who has seen the world in ways most people can only imagine! James D. Pettit isn’t just any speaker—he’s a former U.S. Ambassador, a world traveler, and a problem-solver who’s spent over 35 years working on some of the toughest challenges in international diplomacy.
In the course of his career, Amb. Pettit served as the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, helping strengthen relations between the U.S. and Eastern Europe. Before that, he held key positions in major global hotspots, including Ukraine, Moscow, and Vienna. He’s been on the ground during crucial moments in history and has firsthand experience managing diplomatic relationships, evacuating citizens in emergencies, and tackling global issues.
But that’s not all. Amb. Pettit has mastered six languages, including Russian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Romanian. Imagine talking to people all over the world—in their native language! He’s lived and worked in places like Taiwan, Mexico, and the former Soviet Union, gaining insight into cultures and politics from every corner of the globe.
Amb. Pettit grew up in Iowa, went to Iowa State University, and earned a degree in International Studies and Russian language. Later, he honed his leadership skills at the National War College, where he earned a Master’s in National Security Strategy—pretty much the superhero training of diplomacy.
Off-duty, Amb. Pettit is a proud family man, having married fellow diplomat and Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit, with two daughters and two granddaughters. When he’s not working on global challenges, he enjoys traveling and learning even more about the world.
At the TU-BCPS Model UN conference, Amb. Pettit will share stories from his incredible career, talk about what it takes to succeed on the world stage, and inspire you to become the next generation of global leaders. Get ready—you won’t want to miss what he has to say!