Planning for the Future: PD 2034

On June 17, 2024, Paul Kruchoski, Director of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy’s Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources at the U.S. Department of State, explored how public diplomacy practitioners are adapting to a rapidly changing, complex environment and the skills and resources needed to prepare PD practitioners for the future.

The discussion, entitled “Planning for the Future: PD 2034," was hosted by the Public Diplomacy Council of America, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and the George Washington University's Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication.

About Paul Kruchoski

Paul Kruchoski, a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy (R/PPR). R/PPR supports the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs by coordinating policies and resources and equipping practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals. It is responsible for developing and allocating the $1.5 billion public diplomacy budget, providing policy direction and planning guidance, and performance management for U.S. public diplomacy. Prior to that role, Paul led the creation and growth of the Research and Evaluation Unit (REU), which helps Public Diplomacy practitioners use evidence and knowledge to make better-informed decisions. It aims to integrate the collection and use of evidence into decision-making across the Public Diplomacy community. Previous assignments include Deputy Director of the ECA Collaboratory, Special Assistant in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and several positions in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. Outside of his work, Paul is an accomplished cellist.