Randi Levine

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Randi Levine
GCIH
United States Ambassador to Portugal
In office
April 22, 2022 – January 20, 2025
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byGeorge Edward Glass
Succeeded byJohn Arrigo
Personal details
BornRandi Charno
SpouseJeffrey E. Levine
Children3
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BA)

Randi Charno Levine GCIH is an American author, arts advocate, and diplomat who served as the United States ambassador to Portugal from 2022 to 2025.

Education

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Levine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Missouri School of Journalism.[1]

Career

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Levine has been a member of advisory and governing boards for several organizations, including the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Hamptons International Film Festival, John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Roundabout Theatre Company, NYU Langone Health, High Line, Anna Wintour Costume Center, National Portrait Gallery, New Museum, and Meridian International Center.[2]

Ambassador to Portugal

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On October 29, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Levine to be the ambassador to Portugal.[1] Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 8, 2022. The committee favorably reported her nomination to the Senate floor on March 8, 2022. The entire Senate confirmed Levine by voice vote on March 10, 2022.[3] She presented her credentials to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on April 22, 2022.[4]

During her tenure, Levine focused on strengthening U.S.-Portugal relations across defense, innovation, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy.[5] In an interview with Expresso's The Heart & Hustle podcast, she emphasized Portugal's ability to make an outsized impact on the international stage despite its relatively small size.[6]

Levine played a key role in advancing bilateral defense cooperation, culminating in Portugal's participation in a U.S. defense program shortly before her departure. This agreement, announced in January 2025, marked a significant step in aligning Portugal's military capabilities with NATO standards, enhancing interoperability between Portuguese and U.S. forces.[7]

In 2023, Ambassador Levine hosted the “Art in Embassies” celebration, which featured an exhibit at Casa Carlucci titled “Celebrating Diversity – Democracy and Representation in the Arts.” The event, opened by First Lady Jill Biden, included three days of public panels and discussions across Lisbon with prominent Portuguese and American artists. Levine also spearheaded numerous intercultural initiatives that highlighted the shared artistic heritage of Portugal and the United States. These included Diplomacia Hip Hop with Portuguese rapper Sam the Kid, Diplomacia Culinária featuring American chef Art Smith, and L'USAfonia, a free public concert where Portuguese-African musicians performed traditional American music to commemorate Black History Month.[8]

Ambassador Levine resigned on January 19, 2025, the day before Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second presidential term.[9] Shortly before she left the post, she was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.[10][11]

Personal life

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Levine's husband, Jeffrey E. Levine, is the founder of Douglaston Development and Levine Builders. He has also worked as the president of the Jewish National Fund–USA.[12] Levine has three children.[13]

In January 2025, the Catholic University of Portugal awarded Levine the title of Honorary Professor of Art and Diplomacy.[14]

Honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "President Biden Announces Key Nominations". The White House. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  2. ^ "New US ambassador specializes in art". Tek Deeps. August 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "PN1363 — Randi Charno Levine". Congress.gov. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "Ambassador Randi Charno Levine Presents Credentials". United States Department of State. April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "Ambassador Randi Charno Levine". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Portugal. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  6. ^ Goncalves, Tony (December 19, 2024). "Randi Levine: "Portugal is big in innovation, renewable energy and cultural diplomacy. It's not about size, it's about leadership and heart"". Expresso. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  7. ^ Donn, Natasha (14 January 2025). "Portugal signs up to United States defence programme days before new president takes office". Portugal Resident. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  8. ^ "US Ambassador to Portugal announces departure". The Portugal News. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  9. ^ "U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Randi Levine announces resignation, highlights accomplishments". The Herald News. December 19, 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Entidades Estrangeiras Agraciadas com Ordens Portuguesas". Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Alvará (extrato) n.º 1/2025, de 14 de janeiro — Presidência da República: Chancelaria das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas". Diário da República n.º 9/2025, Série II de 14 January 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Jessica Levine, Evan Sherman". The New York Times. May 29, 2016. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "Lunch at the Tribeca Grill with: Jeffrey E. Levine". www.pranaygupte.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "Católica grants Honorary Professorship to Randi Levine, U.S. Ambassador to Portugal". Universidade Católica Portuguesa. October 1, 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
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Media related to Randi Levine at Wikimedia Commons

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Portugal
2022–2025 		Succeeded by