"[5] In July 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Kenney as the United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand.

[10] In addition to policy outreach, she has focused on reaching out to women and minority groups to encourage interest in public service careers.

"[13] In advance of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Kenney was designated by Secretary Kerry as the lead Transition Coordinator for the State Department.

[2] She was retained in her position for an extra month by the Trump administration to help manage the arrival of Secretary Rex Tillerson and his team.

[15] In her confirmation testimony before the Senate, Kenney noted the long U.S.-Thai treaty alliance "based on a common set of values that define our two peoples" and noted that the relationship "provides important benefits to both countries in health, security, trade and investment, in law enforcement cooperation, and in humanitarian assistance to refugees.

[20][21] The Thai public reacted positively, with her outreach called a "charm offensive" and resulting in a great deal of social engagement with the U.S.

[22] Kenney was nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush on November 3, 2005, to succeed Francis J. Ricciardone Jr. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 16, 2006, and was sworn into office by Secretary Condoleezza Rice on March 6, 2006.

Following the 2007 Manila Peninsula rebellion, Kenney voiced support for Arroyo, a key Bush ally in the Southeast Asian theatre of the U.S.-led war on terror.

Also, Kenney and World Bank country director for the Philippines Bert Hoffman signed the grant agreement of US$750,000 (±₱32mn) at the International Finance Corporation offices in Makati, for the Bangsang Moro Mindanao Trust Fund agency.

She earlier announced a US$3mn grant to the Philippines to help promote family planning in the workplace and American donation of US$38,000 for the preservation of Banaue Rice Terraces.