Africa

Melissa Foelsch Wells was a distinguished American diplomat whose career spanned over four decades, with postings in countries including Trinidad & Tobago, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Zaire, and Estonia, as well as key roles in the United Nations focusing on development, emergency relief, and disability prevention.

Born in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1932, she emigrated to the United States as a child and later earned a B.S. cum laude in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

Fluent in six languages, Wells excelled in international diplomacy and global cooperation, was married to former diplomat Alfred Washburn Wells, and had two sons and three grandchildren.

After retiring, she lived in Spain and the United States, leaving a lasting legacy of dedication to public service and fostering international relations.

Los Angeles and Hollywood, 1936 to 1941

Mexico 1941 to 1944

New York as a child 1944 to 1946

Kuno Foelsch

Guinea-Bissau 1976 to 1977

Cabo Verde 1976 to 1977

Uganda 1979 to 1981

Mozambique 1986 to 1991

Congo/Zaire 1991 to 1993

Sudan and Harvard 1994 to 1995