Elizabeth Kauffman

Director, American Center
and Public Affairs Section

Consulate General of the
United States of America, Mumbai

The American Center promotes dialogue and understanding through library services, seminars, exchange programs, scholarships, cultural presentations, website outreach, and media interactions.

Elizabeth Kauffman arrived in Mumbai to lead the U.S. Consulate General’s public outreach efforts in August 2006.  As Director of the American Center, she promotes dialogue between Americans and Indians on economic, security, environmental, and social challenges both countries face through  cultural and educational exchanges, seminars, film screenings, library outreach, and discussions. 

Liz brings experience from assignments in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Beijing, China; and most recently Ottawa, Canada.  She has also supported public diplomacy programs in Southeast Asia.  She speaks French, Chinese, and Swahili. 

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Liz worked for MicroDesign International, marketing computer peripherals and software, earned a masters degree in comparative literature at the Pennsylvania State University, and taught English as a second language at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon.   She enjoys nature walks, music, learning about the history of humanity around the globe, and spending time with her spouse, John Kauffman (author on website design and electronics trainer), and two teen-age children.  She loves India’s hospitality, diversity, and rich heritage.