Before obtaining a masters degree from the University of Zagreb, Ms Grabar-Kitarović participated in the DAs 5th Special Course for Young Diplomats from Central and Eastern European Countries in 1994.
Ms Grabar-Kitarović served as Minister of European Affairs (2003-2005) and later Foreign and European Affairs (2005-2008) of the Republic of Croatia, as Croatian Ambassador to the United States (2008-2011) and as NATOs Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (2011-2014).
In 2013, Ms Grabar-Kitarović visited the Diplomatic Academy to deliver the inaugural address at the start of the 2013-14 academic year.