CAROLEE WALKER

Carolee Belkin Walker is a senior executive and wellness advocate with 20+ years of experience spanning high-stakes international crisis management, diplomatic negotiations, and holistic well-being initiatives. As Chief of Staff to "America's Top Hostage Negotiator," she led the successful repatriation of 60 Americans while revolutionizing family support and wellness protocols, earning recognition across international media. A published author and thought leader in workplace wellness, combining expertise in crisis management, team leadership, and evidence-based approaches to physical and mental well-being, Carolee is the key architect of comprehensive support programs addressing trauma, stress management, and reintegration for families in crisis. She has a proven track record of building cross-agency partnerships and implementing innovative wellness solutions while managing classified operations and leading elite teams.

She served as the Chief of Staff (CoS) to outgoing Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), Ambassador Roger D. Carstens, and her distinguished career at the U.S. Department of State includes leadership positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Bureau of Global Public Affairs, Bureau of Legislative Affairs, and a rotation as a Senior Watch Officer in the State Department's Operations Center.

Professional Writing and Athletic Achievements

Despite her demanding schedule as a CoS, Walker maintains her passion for writing and endurance training. As a featured contributor for GovLoop – the federal government's internal blog for civil service employees – she shared insights on leadership, mentoring, and career development.

Walker discovered her love for distance running in her 50s, achieving significant milestones including:

Completing the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica (2015)

Finishing the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. (2017)

Her expertise in fitness and aging has made her a valued contributor to numerous prestigious publications, including:

The Washington Post

Women's Running

Prevention Magazine

ThriveGlobal

Huffington Post

In these publications, Walker regularly interviews scientists, sports medicine specialists, and athletes, focusing on training methodologies and the science of aging. This body of work culminated in the publication of her book, Getting My Bounce Back (2018).

Walker resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband.

The views expressed here are her own and do not represent the views of the U.S Department of State or the U.S. government.