Twenty three years ago in 2003, Eno Machut Shishak, a young Tangkhul Naga, entered the US Foreign Service as a career diplomat and four (4) years later in 2007, his elder brother Eno Wungram Shishak also joined the same service. Both Machut & Wungram are alumni of the prestigious Woodstock school, an international Boarding school based in Mussoorie.
Machut Shishak-the younger brother- had a distinguished career in the US Foreign Service, having won major Awards before he exited the Federal government in February, 2026; one of which was the Medal for Distinguished Service he received recently from the serving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former Senator from Florida. Machut Shishak graduated from Calvin College and earned his Master’s degree (2000) from George Washington University (Washington D.C.) in foreign affairs studies, prior to his entry into the US state Department.
Wungram Shishak-the elder brother-graduated from Wheaton College and pursued his master’s program at North Illinois University (1997) and worked for the Voice of America (VOA) as Research Officer, Johns Hopkins University (School of International Affairs Studies) as Policy Analyst and the US Treasury, as a Program Officer, prior to his recruitment by the State Department in 2007. Wungram Shishak even headed the Policy Branch Team of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security at Foggy Bottom, Washington D.C. Eno Wungram Shishak has been married to Genevieve Seefeldt Shishak since 1999.
While in the US Foreign Service (2003-2026) Machut Shishak even served as the head of the Political and Economic Unit at the US Embassy in Nepal and Laos. Since 2008, Machut Shishak has been married to Pauliina Kreivi-Shishak and the family now resides in Helsinki, Finland. Adjudged to be an expert of South East Asia, Machut Shishak speaks several languages; Indonesian, Burmese, Persian, Assamese, Hindi, English, Nagamese (Creole) and Lao. Below is the impressive/prestigious list of the several Awards won by Machut Shishak while he was in the Service:
1) Benjamin Joy Award (2018) for Commercial Diplomacy Excellence bestowed by the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce.
2) Herbert Salzman Award (2013) for Excellence in International Economic Performance bestowed by the U.S. Department of State
3) Group Meritorious Honor Award by the U.S. Department of State in Nov 2012, for managing the US Embassy’s preparations for President Barack Obama’s landmark speech at Yangon University in November 2012 – the first visit to Burma by a sitting U.S. President.
4) Group Meritorious Honor Award by the U.S. Department of State in Jan 2012, for serving as the Embassy’s officer in charge of preparations in the capital Nay Pyi Taw for the visit of Hillary Clinton, the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State in 56 years.
5) Superior Honor Award by the U.S. Department of State in 2009 for leading one-and-half year negotiations with Indonesian government and NGOs to conclude the largest ever debt-for-nature swap under the U.S Tropical Forest Conservation Act, which will lead to almost $30 million in grants to protect forest habitats in Sumatra over ten years.
6) Meritorious Honor Award by U.S. Department of State in 2008, for advancing environmental cooperation with Indonesia on marine conservation, illegal logging and climate change.
7) Meritorious Honor Award by the U.S. Department of State in 2004, for leading the Embassy’s effort to ensure the safe travel of 26,000 Afghans during the annual Hajj, in coordination with the Afghan government ministries, international military coalition planners, NGOs, and U.N. agencies.
Recommendations Received By Or In Favour Of Machut Shishak
1) PUKAR C. HAMAL from San Francisco writes: “Machut is one of those rare people who leaves a lasting impact on an ecosystem in a very short period of time. In Nepal, he played a key role in bringing together stakeholders across government and industry—helping establish the American Chamber of Commerce and encouraging the early momentum behind what’s now emerging as the “Silicon Peaks” tech sector. I experienced his impact firsthand while leading SecurityPal’s expansion into Kathmandu. Machut was generous with his time, thoughtful in his guidance, and deeply committed to helping companies like ours succeed in Nepal. Beyond his formal role, what sets Machut apart is his genuine belief in the potential of places others often overlook—and his ability to help turn that potential into reality.”
2) MICHAEL HUEHNE from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada writes: “It is a pleasure to provide a professional recommendation for Machutmi, whose contributions as the Political and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassies in both Myanmar and Laos were nothing short of exceptional. Machutmi’s ability to navigate the intricate intersection of high-level diplomacy and complex economic landscapes made him an invaluable asset to our activities in the region. Machutmi continued to provide support and introductions for us to other key US Embassy personnel in various other jurisdictions in SE Asia. I recommend Machutmi without reservation for any senior role involving international relations, economic policy, or strategic advisory. He is a dedicated leader who brings clarity and integrity to every challenge.”
Both the aforementioned Tangkhul Naga US Career diplomats Machutmi Shishak and Wungram Shishak are the sons of Dr. Tuisem Shishak, the first Tangkhul Naga to earn a doctorate degree in the United States in 1973, and founded/established the Patkai Christian College in 1974 at Chumukedima, Nagaland. Dr. Tuisem Shsihak married Margaret Shishak, an American, a pioneer of Christian Gospel Music in Nagaland, the Margaret Shishak School of Music (MSSM) being a good example. Dr. Tuisem Shishak worked for more than a decade in the US Baptist Church Ministry prior to his return to India;
i) Doctorate in 1973 (Higher Education), State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, USA.
ii) BD-Chicago, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958-1961)
iii) Director, International Students Inc., Western New York (1965-1967)
iv) Pastor, First Baptist Church, New York (1962-1965) & Pastor, Illinois (1961-1962)
v) M. Th-Philadelphia, (1967-1969) & MA, Philosophy, (1969-1971, University of New York).
Advancement Of Interests Or And Welfare Of The Nagas In United States
One of the early leading Naga citizens in the United Sates was also late Dr. Aryo Shishak, younger brother of Dr. Tuisem Shishak. Late Dr. Aryo Shishak earned his MBBS degree from Maulana Abdula Kalam Medical College, Delhi in 1965 & subsequently an MD degree from the US (1968/1969). It may be recalled that the first Naga gathering in the United States during the summer of 1989, in Milford, Pennsylvania, was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Aryo Shishak. More than fifty individuals from all over the United States attended this meeting.
The second meeting of Nagas in the US took place in 1990, in Denver, Colorado, and was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Luithuk Zimik (MD, AIIMS, New Delhi, 1964) and this was communicated in 2002 by Dr. Luithuk himself when he came to Manipur for the inauguration of a Baptist Church in Ukhrul, along with Rishang Keishing, the former Chief Minister of Manipur. According to Lannan Zimik, son of late Luithuk Zimik and based in the US currently, his father served as the Chairman of Brighton Medical College, Denver, Colorado for almost 3 decades and became a member of the Physician Advisory Council (PAC) to the US President, the first tribal from India to achieve that feat.
The decision to get a Naga organization, formally established and registered, was arrived at in this very year (1991). Extensive ground work, time, and contributions by the founding members of the Naga American Foundation (NAF) resulted in the organization being formally incorporated in April, 1991, as a non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the State of Kentucky. The Foundation also attained tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (03) of the Internal Revenue Code.”
When Dr. Aryo Shishak died in 2017, the Naga American Foundation mourned with a note from its Secretary Justine Aier; “Dr. Shishak, or “Uncle Aryo,” as many affectionately knew him, was a pillar of the Naga community in the United States. Dr. Shishak was one of few early Nagas to settle in the US, and along with several others, was instrumental in forming the Naga American Foundation (NAF), an organization that seeks to advance and promote the common interests of Naga people in the country. In 1989, Dr. Shishak and his wife Ngano hosted the first large Naga gathering in the United States at their home in Milford, Pennsylvania, beginning what would become a biennial tradition of families hosting NAF gatherings and conferences around the country. Dr. Shishak also served as president of the NAF from 2003 to 2007 and was also formerly on its board of directors.”
The Shishak family is no stranger to Community service and leadership, within the Naga family. Dr. Aryo Shishak served as the first President of Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD, 1963-1964), only to be succeeded by his younger brother late W. Shishak, as the second President of NSUD (1964-1964). During the Golden Jubilee Celebration of NSUD (2013) in Delhi, the Chief Guest for the day late Dr. Aryo Shishak, conveyed that one of his daughters (Zing Shishak & Lei Shishak) became the first Naga to join JP Morgan Chase, the world’s largest/biggest Investment Bank/Corporation, headed by a Jewish American banker Jamie Dimon.
Late W. Shishak was the first Naga to be elevated as a High Court Judge in 1989 and also the first Chief Justice of an Indian High Court (2000) from the tribe. However, the first tribal from the North East to become Judge of the Supreme Court (2002-2008) was Hon’ble Chief justice H.K. Sema from the Sumi Naga tribe. The first Meitei Supreme Court Judge is Hon’ble Justice N. Kotishwar Singh (2024 onwards), whose father was also former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court.
Ngahanyui Zimik
Doctoral Student
