Sarah M. Beran is the deputy economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The economic section in Beijing includes 35 staff covering China’s domestic economy, trade and investment relations, and China’s overseas economic presence. Prior to her assignment in Beijing, Sarah served as the economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad (2012-2014) and the deputy economic chief at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem (2009-2012). Sarah also worked at the Department of State in Washington for four years on Middle East issues, including as then-Secretary Condoleezza Rice’s special assistant. She speaks Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish and has been in the Foreign Service for 15 years. Prior to joining the government, Sarah worked in Beijing from 1999-2001 in the private sector. Sarah graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in International Relations and Chinese. She is originally from Seattle.