As a United States’ Diplomat in the field of civil nuclear energy and nonproliferation, Janet Marie Gorn is a Senior Foreign Affairs Officer in the U.S. Department of State. She has traveled to 37 countries in every region of the world, where she actively represents the U.S. Government, including as the U.S. Representative and Head of Delegation, in bilateral and multilateral fora, international conferences and meetings, and on international task forces, for such organizations as the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development UN/CSD, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and the OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
A recognized expert, Ms. Gorn frequently gives presentations at domestic and international conferences and symposia, is a published author, and is an Adjunct Professor at a local college. She is currently the Co-Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, of two U.S. Interagency Steering Committees. She served for five years on the White House Sub-Interagency Policy Committee on Civil Nuclear Energy Policy, representing the State Department Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation and on the Sub-IPC on Nuclear Energy Investment and Finance. Ms. Gorn has also served in special duty assignments in the Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; the Senior Coordinator’s Office for Russian and Eastern European Affairs; the OES/Office of Nuclear Technology and Safeguards; the Deputy Assistant Secretary’s Office, and as a Special Assistant to two Ambassadors.
Ms. Gorn received numerous awards and recognition in her government career. On the staff of the State Department, she received the Department of State highest Civil Service Superior Honor Award, for her leadership and diplomatic skills in the field of nuclear energy leading to the U.S. ratification of a major convention in the field of nuclear energy. In 2015, she subsequently received the Department of State second highest Civil Service Meritorious Honor Award for her leadership and diplomatic skills in the field of nuclear energy as the U.S. Representative to the Joint Convention on Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste. Then, in 2016, she received her second Department of State highest Civil Service Meritorious Honor Award, this time for her leadership in the restructure of the OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency Data Bank. During her State Department career she has received commendations from a number of U.S. Government officials including Ambassadors and Deputy Assistant Secretaries.
Before joining the State Department, Ms. Gorn was on the staff of The Brookings Institution; the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress; and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). On the CRS staff, Ms. Gorn had duty assignments in the Law Division and the Government Division. She is a graduate of the NRC 2-year Intern Program. While on the staff of the NRC, Ms. Gorn had duty assignments in the Division of Radioactive Waste Management, a Regional Office, the Office of Congressional Affairs, and the Office of International Programs. She also served on the staff of two Commissioners and the NRC Chairman for 3 years as the Secretariat to the International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA), receiving a commendation for her Secretariat role. Ms. Gorn served as the Staff Alternate to the Chairman on the Blue Ribbon U.S. Presidential Commission on Radioactive Waste, and as Staff Alternate on to the OECD Secretary-General High-Level Advisory Group on the Future of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (Birkhofer Report). Ms. Gorn has also served as Policy Advisor to the Mayor of San Jose, Calif., and on the staff of the San Jose City Manager.
Ms. Gorn received a Bachelor of Science from Drew University in 1973 and a Master of Arts with Honors from San Jose University in 1982, with a GPA 4.0, which were followed by postgraduate studies at George Washington University and participation in a Special Studies Program at Harvard University. Among a number of Who’s Who publications, Ms. Gorn has been featured in the Marquis “Who’s Who of American Women,” “Who’s Who in America,” Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in American Politics; and the ”Cambridge International World Who’s Who of Women.” She is a member of the International Women in Nuclear (WIN), the American Nuclear Society (ANS), Executive Women of the State Department, and previously served a two-year term as the National Vice President for U.S. Women in Energy.
Ms. Gorn is an active member of her community, including serving as an appointee to local government boards and committees in California, New Jersey, and Virginia. She is also currently active in civil society organizations, including the Republican Women’s Federal Forum; National Federation of Republican Women Board of Directors Literacy Committee (Vice Chairman) and the Membership Committee; the Virginia Federation of Republican Women Board of Directors Membership Committee and Bylaws Committee; President of the Kings Highway Republican Women’s E Club (first virtual club in Virginia); The Prince William County Republican Committee; and the Prince William County Committee of 100 Leaders.
Ms. Gorn is a past President of the Prince William Library Foundation (three terms) and a past President and elected Director of Montclair Homeowners Association Board of Directors (four terms). Among a number of other significant volunteer leadership positions, Junior Women’s Club President and State Board Officer, President of the League of Women Voters, President of the DeMolay Mother’s Club, President of the Peralta House Restoration Foundation, an officer of the American Association of University Women, an officer of the Prince William Republican Women’s Club, and Co-founder of a Cub Scout Troop. She has received numerous civic awards for her contributions, including Outstanding Leader of the County as well as twice Outstanding Leader of a nationally affiliated Organization.