Zoja D. Bazarnic

Zoja Bazarnic has been the Principal Officer at Consulate General Edinburgh since August 2012. Previously, she served as the Senior Political Officer in the Office of European Union and Regional Affairs (2009-2011), where she coordinated with the EU on policy in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and overall U.S.-EU relations following changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty.  In June 2012, Zoja concluded a one-year detail advising U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins of Maine on foreign policy and assistance issues as a Pearson Fellow.  Zoja also has served as a consular officer in Havana, Cuba (2003-2005), a political officer in Rome, Italy (2005-2007), and a watch officer in the State Department’s 24 hour Operations Center (2007-2008).  In 2008-2009, she was seconded to the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping organization in the Sinai as an observer to the Egypt-Israel Treaty of Peace.  Zoja joined the State Department in 2002 as a political officer.

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Zoja was the Advertising and Direct Mail Coordinator at Stanford University Press.  Zoja received her Bachelor’s in Public Policy and International Relations from Stanford University, including a quarter of studies in Washington, DC, and a quarter abroad in Florence, Italy.  She speaks Italian, Serbian, Spanish, and French.

Zoja is married to Cliff Bazarnic, a retired U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot, and has a stepson, Cody, and daughter, Elsie.  Zoja was born in the former Yugoslavia and grew up in San Antonio, Texas.  She loves traveling, snorkeling, running, and eating Italian food.  She is looking forward to exploring Scotland during her tenure as Principal Officer.