Prior to his appointment in 2006 by the Belgian Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE to the Ambassadorship in Moldova, Louis O’Neill was a member of the U.S. State Department’s Policy Planning Staff for Eastern Europe under Director of Policy Planning Steve Krasner. A 2004-2005 White House Fellow, Louis O’Neill served as Special Assistant to former Secretary of State Colin Powell for Russian Affairs. Coordinating with the Office of Russian Affairs, Louis O’Neill worked on counter-terrorism initiatives and building law-enforcement alliances. Additionally, Louis O’Neill worked as an expert on the OSCE Minsk Group’s Fact-Finding Mission to the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. For his effort, Louis O’Neill received the Franklin Award from the U.S. State Department in 2005.

Prior to working for the State Department, Louis O’Neill served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Special Prosecutions Bureau of the New York County District Attorney’s Office. In his position, Louis O’Neill prosecuted a diverse array of cases including arson, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, and organized crime. In running long-term investigations and leading prosecution teams, Louis O’Neill honed his ability to manage and inspire people and handle complex cases.

A graduate of Stanford University, Louis O’Neill earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from the institution. He received his B.A. in Slavic Languages, with Distinction, in 1990 and raced bicycles for four years on the Stanford Cycling Team, becoming its Co-Captain during his Junior Year. After a year abroad on a Fulbright Presidential Scholarship at Moscow State University, Louis O’Neill earned his M.A. in Russian and East European Studies. Subsequently, he studied at the Harvard Law School, graduating Juris Doctorate cum laude in 1996.