US Ambassador Stacey Feinberg Outlines Vision for Stronger Luxembourg-US Ties

On Friday 19 December 2025, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to sit down with the new US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Stacey Feinberg, to discuss her background, her first impressions of the Grand Duchy and her priorities for strengthening ties between Luxembourg and the United States.

The interview took place in the festively decorated Dolibois House in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg - the site of both the US Embassy and the US Ambassador's residence.

Ambassador Feinberg, who presented her credentials to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg in November 2025, has led an extensive career in business, finance and investment. She described her diplomatic appointment as a continuation of a life shaped by adaptability and entrepreneurship.

"I am a mother of four, which might be my proudest achievement," she said, adding that serving as US Ambassador to Luxembourg would "hopefully" become her second proudest accomplishment. "I've been a businesswoman for most of my life. Like Luxembourg, I've had a lot of iterations, a lot of pivots."

From business and finance to diplomacy

Ambassador Feinberg began her career working alongside her father, Bob Woolf, a pioneer of sports law in the United States. "He taught me how to negotiate contracts from high school," she recalled, noting that she was already involved in the family business (Bob Woolf Associates) while studying at Northwestern University. She later headed the company's literary division, negotiating publishing and media contracts for high-profile figures.

Her career then shifted into finance, first through her then husband's work in asset management and later through the creation of a successful hedge fund. Following her move from New York to California after the September 11 (9/11) attacks, she balanced professional life with raising her children before eventually turning her focus to angel investing. Ambassador Feinberg explained she had wanted to feel that she was "making a difference". This led her to invest in women-run funds and later to create her own investment fund dedicated to supporting women-led businesses, which she described as a form of "philanthropic investing". She said it was not always about immediate returns but rather about giving an opportunity to someone "who really deserves to have a chance".

She later supported Donald Trump's re-election campaign and shared that he had approached her in December 2024 with the idea of becoming an ambassador. "I'm not a weekend [or] a part-time ambassador," she assured, noting that she told President Trump: "I want to work. I want to serve". After discussions about several countries, she said she made it clear that Luxembourg was her preferred choice.

Why Luxembourg?

Asked what drew her to the Grand Duchy, Ambassador Feinberg pointed first to the country's "warm, welcoming community", saying this was important for her. "I'm a relationship person. Luxembourg is a relationship country," she said, observing that "people pick up the phone and call each other […] they get things done because they know each other." She viewed this positively, saying it would help her to "get things done and make a difference for both countries". She also praised "the entrepreneurial spirit of Luxembourg that most countries don't have".

Moreover, Ambassador Feinberg spoke movingly about Luxembourg's continued commemoration of the Second World War and its gratitude towards the United States. "The way that Luxembourg celebrates the Americans liberating them," she said. "It was 81 years ago, but it might as well have been like a year ago. They don't forget. They're so grateful. […] I've never been prouder to be American than I am here in Luxembourg."

She said attending commemorative events across the country (such as the recent Battle of the Bulge commemoration) had been one of the most meaningful aspects of her early tenure, highlighting the personal stories shared by community members across generations.

Economic priorities: space, fintech, autonomous driving

Strengthening economic ties between Luxembourg and the United States is a central priority for Ambassador Feinberg's three- to four-year mandate. She emphasised the importance of facilitating two-way investment. "I want to make it easier for US companies to come here, but also for Luxembourg companies to come to the United States," she said. "There needs to be a bilateral partnership because there are great entrepreneurs here with fabulous ideas and the United States can help them scale."

The ambassador highlighted Luxembourg's role as one of the largest destinations for US foreign direct investment and described the two countries as "natural partners", adding: "We have so much in common. […] We have a very strong shared value system", with both being pro-business, transparent, financially conservative, and strong democracies that she described as stable and reliable.

She singled out the space sector as a particularly promising area, saying both the US and Luxembourg were "very excited" about space - a sector which includes satellites, medical research and data. Other potential growth areas include blockchain technologies, cryptocurrency and autonomous driving.

Ambassador Feinberg said it was "no coincidence that the things that are important in the United States are also happening in Luxembourg", adding that her role would be to act as "the bridge" between these ecosystems. 

Culture and community engagement

Beyond economics, Ambassador Feinberg said she was keen to immerse herself in Luxembourg's cultural and community life. She has already attended art fairs and performances, for example at the Philharmonie, and is looking forward to an upcoming Hänsel a Gréidel (Hansel and Gretel) theatre production. She expressed particular admiration for the professionalism of Luxembourg's cultural institutions. "There is something to do every night," she said enthusiastically. "I do not need to be in Los Angeles or New York [for culture]."

She also highlighted her interest in education and community initiatives, citing a recent visit to the OTR school Christmas Market fundraiser and other local events among her most enjoyable experiences so far.

Ambassador Feinberg said she intends to maintain close ties with American community organisations in Luxembourg, including Fulbright scholars and long-established expatriate groups.

Embassy traditions and future initiatives

Asked about traditions at the US Embassy, Ambassador Feinberg said she planned to continue existing initiatives while also expanding outreach. She confirmed that an upcoming highlight would be the Independence Day celebration in 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence.

"Anything that was great before, we'll just make greater," she said, adding that engagement with local mayors and municipalities would remain a priority.

Direct flights to the United States

One issue that has recently attracted public attention is the potential re-introduction of direct flights between Luxembourg and the United States. Ambassador Feinberg noted that the matter was complex but under active consideration.

"If we're going to increase our partnership, we have to make it easier for everyone to [travel]," she said, adding that New York would be the most logical initial destination. She also noted that business travellers were a key target group (for whom "time is more valuable than money") and pointed to the potential benefits of US customs pre-clearance, similar to the system in place in Ireland.

"There are a lot of moving pieces," she acknowledged. "I need to work with a number of people. But there are also things like the security, the footprint of Luxembourg Airport, expansion plans… But I'm feeling very hopeful."

Defence and transatlantic security

On the subject of defence and security, Ambassador Feinberg welcomed the fact that Luxembourg is on track to reach its NATO defence spending target of 2% of GNI by the end of the year. She praised the country's focus on strategic investments, particularly in space, satellites and dual-use technologies. She also stressed the need for "a strong Europe", adding that the United States "wants Europe to be the strongest it can be".

First impressions

Asked her favourite thing about Luxembourg so far, the ambassador did not hesitate in saying: "Hands down, the people." Earlier in the interview, she had described people in Luxembourg as "just so kind", adding that "it's a really nice life" here.