Svanhildur Hólm Valsdótti began her post as Ambassador of Iceland to the U.S. in 2024. Prior to this, she served as Secretary General of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce from 2020-2024. Ambassador Valsdótti also served as a senior advisor for the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and Chairman of the Independence Party in Alþingi. Ambassador Valsdótti started her career as a journalist serving as a news reporter, radio and television host and editor for Stöð 2 (Channel 2) and RÚV (The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service). She earned an MBA from Reykjavík University, and an MA Degree in Law from the University of Iceland. She is married with seven children between the ages of 14 and 35.