A proud Michigander, Bridget Brink dedicated her life to defending freedom and democracy in Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain of communism as a U.S. Foreign Service officer for almost three decades. She served five presidents, was ambassador to the Slovak Republic and Ukraine,, and retired as a Career Minister.

Bridget served multiple tours overseas and at home to advance the longstanding, bipartisan goal of a Europe, “whole, free, and at peace.” To build partnerships to address national security threats, Bridget helped end the wars in the Balkans, advance reforms in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and resolve the so-called “frozen” conflicts. She served in President Obama’s White House as the Director for the Aegean and South Caucuses on the National Security Council.

Bridget was nominated and confirmed unanimously by the Senate to serve as Ambassador to the Slovak Republic from 2019 to 2022 and to Ukraine from 2022-2055. In Ukraine, Bridget led the U.S. on-the ground effort to repel Russia’s invasion, the biggest threat to the peace and security of Europe since World War II. She became the first woman to be ambassador in a war zone. Under the threat of nearly nightly missiles and drones, Bridget led her team to enable Ukraine to take back half of the land seized by Russia, keep the energy grid alive, and keep the economy running. She oversaw the largest assistance to Europe since the Marshall Plan. Bridget received the Ryan C. Crocker Award for Exceptional Leadership in Expeditionary Diplomacy.

Bridget resigned as Ambassador to Ukraine because she opposed the Trump Administration’s attempt to end the war by pressuring Ukraine, the victim, while appeasing Russia, the aggressor. She returned home to Michigan to continue serving her country, launching a campaign to win Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.

Bridget served under five presidents of both parties, both Democratic and Republican, during her distinguished career. She testified numerous times before Congress. In April, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, released a statement. It said Bridget “has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resolve, and unwavering commitment to advance American security and values ... (and) championed U.S. interests and cultivated bipartisan support for Ukraine through close engagement with Congress. Her tireless efforts have been instrumental in ensuring U.S. assistance has fortified Ukraine’s sovereignty ... This vital work ... has reinforced America’s security by standing firm against expanding global threats and deterring further campaigns of destruction."

Bridget earned a Bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and two Master’s degrees from the London School of Economics. She is married to Nicholas Higgins, a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development for twenty-five years, including wartime tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Israel. They live in Lansing, Michigan, and are the proud parents of two sons.