Summary: Episode Summary<br> In today’s episode, I have the honor and pleasure of speaking with Suzi LeVine, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and her husband Eric about their experience living and parenting in Switzerland as America’s most public representatives.<br> About U.S. Ambassador Suzi LeVine<br> Suzan “Suzi” LeVine took up her position as the United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein in June 2014.<br> What prepared Suzi for her role as Ambassador was her diverse and non-linear career focusing on education, technology, community, innovation, travel, social responsibility, and youth outreach. In a professional capacity, she worked at Microsoft as a Director and at Expedia as a Vice President. Twice during her career, she was a stay-at-home mom, during which time she co-founded two non-profit organizations – an innovative Jewish community model, The Kavana Cooperative, and an advisory board for an early learning research institute at the University of Washington, ILABS – the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences.<br> Suzi is a graduate of Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering with aerospace applications. She and her husband have two children, with whom they enjoy hiking, biking, traveling and playing with their dog.<br> About Eric LeVine<br> Eric LeVine grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard College and received a degree in History in 1991. Eric spent most of his early career at Microsoft, moving from marketing to product planning and program management. In 2005 he formally retired from Microsoft to follow his entrepreneurial vision to create a software solution for wine enthusiasts. <a href="http://www.cellartracker.com/" target="_blank">CellarTracker</a> has grown to become the leading cellar management tool with hundreds of thousands of collectors tracking more than 60 million bottles.<br> Since 2014, Eric has served alongside his wife, representing the U.S. in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. His days continue to be filled with the attention to his business venture, ongoing philanthropic work and caring for the couple’s two children.<br> <br> <a href="http://parentingabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/deptofstate.jpg"></a>About the U.S. Embassy in Bern<br> The Embassy of the United States in Bern manages the official relationship between the United States and the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein. In addition to the Department of State, several other U.S. agencies are represented in the Mission including the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.<br> U.S. diplomacy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein seeks to promote strong bilateral ties with our hosts and to advance U.S. policy objectives in the heart of Europe. The Embassy issues visas to travelers and provides protective and emergency services to the American community living and traveling in Switzerland. The U.S. Mission accomplishes these goals by engaging with counterparts and affiliated organizations in the Swiss Government and the Principality of Liechtenstein and by reaching out to the Swiss public with cooperative projects, educational exchange programs and an active program of public information.<br> Links Mentioned in the Episode <br> U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland<br> Follow Ambassador LeVine:<br> <br> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ambsuzi" target="_blank">Suzi G. LeVine</a> on Facebook (ambsuzi)<br> * <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbSuzi" target="_blank">@AmbSuzi</a> on Twitter<br> * <a href="http://blogs.usembassy.gov/levine/" target="_blank">The LeVine Line</a> – The Official Blog of Suzi LeVine, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein<br> * <a href="http://bern.usembassy.gov/ambassador."></a>
