Cynthia Stroum

Ambassador: 'Caught Off Guard' Over Criticisms Of Management Style

Ryan J. Reilly | February 7, 2011, 9:50AM

Former ambassador to Luxembourg Cynthia Stroum -- a big-time Obama donor who was criticized in an inspector general's report for treating her staff poorly, obsessing over a bathroom remodeling, improperly spending money, wasting employees' time and propelling "Embassy Luxembourg to a state of dysfunction" -- says she's proud of her work.

Read more »

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
Topics: Cynthia Stroum, Luxembourg, Obama Administration, State Department

Cynthia Stroum

Luxembourg Ambassador Demoralized Embassy; Had Staff House Hunt, Splurged On Mattress

Ryan J. Reilly | February 4, 2011, 8:30AM

The now-former U.S Ambassador to Luxembourg, Cynthia Stroum, had members of the small staff of the embassy spend the majority of their time on the important task of finding her a temporary residence that met her high standards; made refurbishing the bathroom at the ambassador's residence a top personal priority; told them that she could snoop on their e-mails; and left her office so demoralized that some top staffers volunteered to serve in two war zone embassies rather than continue to work under her leadership.

That's all according to a State Department Inspector General report, which concludes that Stroum's "confrontational management style, chronic gaps in senior and other staffing caused by curtailments, and the absence of a sense of direction have brought major elements of Embassy Luxembourg to a state of dysfunction."

Read more »

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Cynthia Stroum, Obama Administration, State Department