Press Release
from Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
During 2017, the Belfer Center was honored to welcome a number of new senior fellows, dedicated public servants who have served in high-levels of government. All of the new faces in our midst help the Center build bridges across aisles and oceans as they work with students, faculty, and other fellows to tackle today’s most challenging issues. The following senior fellows joined the Center during 2017.
Dmitri Alperovitch Co-Founder and CTO of CrowdStrike, Inc.
Dmitri Alperovitch is the Co-Founder and CTO of CrowdStrike Inc., a leading provider of next-generation endpoint security, threat intelligence and incident response services. He is a thought-leader on cybersecurity policies and state tradecraft and has served as special advisor to the Department of Defense. In 2016, Alperovitch revealed Russian intelligence agencies’ hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
As a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center, Alperovitch is working with the Defending Digital Democracy Project to protect elections.
Ehud Barak Former Prime Minister of Israel
Ehud Barak served as Israel’s 10th Prime Minister and the nation’s most decorated soldier. As Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, he helped negotiate and implement the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan, opening the door to further negotiations. While in government, Barak also served as Minister of the Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Defense Minister until 2013. Before his civil career, Barak completed an illustrious 36-year career in the IDF as the most decorated soldier in its history.
As a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center, Barak shares his expertise on leadership, negotiation, and economic policy with students, fellows, and faculty.
Alan Bersin Former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs
Bersin served as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Chief Diplomatic Officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Policy in the Obama administration. In those capacities, Bersin was responsible for DHS’s international engagement, leading the Department’s strategic planning and policy formulation functions and serving as the principal advisor to the DHS Secretary. Earlier, he served as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection where he oversaw the operations of CBP’s 58,000-employee work force.
As a Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Homeland Security Project, Bersin is examining the challenges unique to protecting the American homeland, especially the question of what the DHS should look like in the years to come.
James Clapper Former Director of National Intelligence
Clapper was the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) from 2010 to 2017, serving as the principal intelligence advisor to President Obama. Previously, he served for three years as Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, the principal official responsible for intelligence, counterintelligence, and security matters at the Pentagon. After a distinguished 32 year career in the U.S. Armed Forces ranging from Marine Corps Reserve rifleman to Lieutenant General in the U.S. Air Force, Clapper retired to civilian life in 1995.
At the Belfer Center, Clapper is serving as an indispensable contributor to the emerging debate about the American intelligence community’s capabilities, roles, and responsibilities.
David S. Cohen Former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
David S. Cohen was the second-in-command at the CIA from 2015-2017. He handled foreign intelligence collection, all-source analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships, and assisted in managing the CIA’s domestic and worldwide operations. Cohen served previously as Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
As a Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Intelligence Project, Cohen is conducting a study that focuses on the “CIA in the Digital Age,” looking into steps the agency can take to improve its capacity for anticipating and tackling intelligence challenges in our increasingly interconnected world.
Jeffrey DeLaurentis Former Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Havana, Cuba
Jeffrey DeLaurentis is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, serving from 2014-17 as Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba where he implemented the Obama administration’s diplomatic opening to the country. Earlier, DeLaurentis served as the Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
As Senior Diplomatic Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Future of Diplomacy Project, DeLaurentis shares his expertise with students and faculty, contributing to a deeper public understanding of diplomatic practice and U.S. foreign policy.
Salam Fayyad Former Prime Minister, Palestinian Authority
Salam Fayyad is an economist and former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. His extensive experience includes serving as resident representative in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as manager of the Arab Bank in Palestine, and as Minister of Finance of the Palestinian Authority. In 2007, he was appointed Prime Minister, a position he held until he stepped down in June 2013.
As a Senior Fellow with the Middle East Initiative, Fayyad delivers public and closed addresses, engages with Harvard Kennedy School students, faculty, and affiliates, and participates in events and activities.
Laura Holgate Former U.S. Representative to the Vienna Office of the UN and IAEA
Laura Holgate was Coordinator for Projects on Cooperative Security and Post-Cold War Reconstruction at the Belfer Center from 1990-92. At the Center, she helped develop the Center report that informed the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to secure the Soviet nuclear arsenal. From the Center, she moved on to the Pentagon where she became director of the Nunn-Lugar program, helping to remove vulnerable nuclear warheads and missiles from the former USSR. In 2016, she was named U.S. Representative to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
As a Senior Fellow, Holgate leads a new Belfer Center initiative to examine how multilateral institutions can contribute to reducing threats from nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materials.
Jeh Johnson Former Secretary of Homeland Security
Jeh Johnson was Secretary of Homeland Security from 2013-2017. His responsibilities covered 22 areas, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, aviation security, border security, port security, maritime security, protection of our national leaders, and response to natural disasters. Prior to becoming Secretary of Homeland Security, Johnson was General Counsel of the Department of Defense.
As a Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Homeland Security Project, Johnson engages with students, faculty, and fellows to explore the challenges of keeping America safe. He is a partner in the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP.
Douglas Lute Former United States Permanent Representative to NATO
Douglas Lute served two U.S. administrations with distinction over six years, and before that with 35 years of military service. In 2007, President George W. Bush named him Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor to coordinate the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Appointed by President Obama, Lute served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO from 2013-2017. During this period, he was instrumental in designing and implementing the Alliance’s responses to post-Cold War security challenges.
As a Senior Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project, Lute initiated a research project focused on NATO and transatlantic relations, while sharing his expertise in security and diplomacy with students and fellows.
Lisa Monaco Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Monaco served as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism between 2013 and 2017. In this position, she was responsible for advising the President on all aspects of counterterrorism policy and strategy and coordinating homeland security-related activities on issues ranging from terrorist attacks at home and abroad to cybersecurity, pandemics, and natural disasters.
As a Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Homeland Security Project, Monaco is researching the unique challenges and choices around protecting the American homeland.
Ernest Moniz Former Secretary of Energy
Ernest Moniz served as Secretary of Energy from 2103 to January 2017, advancing energy technology innovation, nuclear security and strategic stability, cutting-edge capabilities for the scientific research community, and environmental stewardship. Under his leadership, the Department produced analytically-based energy policy proposals that attracted bipartisan support and statutory implementation and guided the international initiative that placed energy science and technology innovation at the center of the global response to climate change.
At the Belfer Center, Moniz leads MIT/Harvard projects to chart a pro-growth, pro-climate 21st century American energy policy and to produce a manuscript that chronicles his experience and lessons learned in negotiating nuclear risk reduction.
Robby Mook Former Campaign Manager, Hillary Clinton presidential campaign 2016
Robby Mook is a nationally recognized campaign manager and strategist who ran the 2016 presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton. Earlier, he managed the successful 2013 election campaign for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and the 2008 election of Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire’s first woman senator.
At the Belfer Center, Mook is co-leading —with Matt Rhoades—the bipartisan Defending Digital Democracy Project, which aims to identify and recommend strategies, tools, and technology to protect democratic processes and systems from cyber and information attacks.
Debora Plunkett Former Director of the National Security Agency’s Information Assurance Directorate
As Director of the NSA’s cyber defense, cryptography, and information systems security missions from 2012-16, Plunkett enabled continuous innovation and development of strong security solutions and policies to protect classified government communications. She currently is Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a cybersecurity consulting business, and an Adjunct Professor in cybersecurity at the University of Maryland.
At the Belfer Center, Plunkett is assisting with the formation and implementation of the Defending Digital Democracy Project.
Matt Rhoades Former Campaign Manager, Mitt Romney presidential campaign 2012
Matt Rhoades is the founder of Definers Public Affairs and an accomplished political and public affairs professional. He served as campaign manager for the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign, guiding Romney through a crowded primary to the Republican nomination. Earlier, he served as research director for President George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign and for the Republican National Committee.
At the Belfer Center, Rhoades is co-leading with Robby Mook the bipartisan Defending Digital Democracy Project to develop information and tools to protect the integrity of America’s elections.
Susan Rice Former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Susan E. Rice served as U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013 and as National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017. Earlier, she was U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Rice’s many contributions include playing a critical role in containing the Ebola crisis, sanctioning Russia for violations in Ukraine, and achieving the agreement that prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
As a Belfer Center Senior Fellow, Susan Rice’s extensive knowledge and experience contribute to an array of foreign policy and national security issues.
Mike Rogers Former Michigan Congressman, Army officer, and FBI special agent.
Mike Rogers is a former Republican member of Congress from Michigan, Army officer, and FBI special agent. In the U.S. House, he chaired the Intelligence Committee from 2011-2015, becoming a sought-after leader and expert on cybersecurity and national security policy. He is also a national security contributor at CNN.
As a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center, Rogers provides valuable insight into the areas of politics, leadership, and counterterrorism to students, fellows, and faculty.
José Antonio Sabadell Former Ambassador of the European Union to Mauritania
José Antonio Sabadell has been a Spanish diplomat since 1993. He served as the Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Mauritania from 2013-17 and previously as Deputy Director General for North Africa. Earlier, he served in a number of other capacities including as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Spain in Saudi Arabia.
As the Rafael del Piño-MAEC (Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation) Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project, Sabadell focuses on how radical Islamic groups use biased presentations of the West to attract followers and support their objectives.
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall Former Deputy Secretary of Energy
As Deputy Secretary of Energy from 2014-17, Sherwood-Randall was the Department’s Chief Operating Officer providing strategic direction in areas ranging from nuclear deterrence and science and energy to emergency response and grid security. Previously, she was Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for Defense Policy, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Arms Control (2013-14). Earlier, she worked with then Assistant Secretary of Defense Carter on denuclearizing three former Soviet states following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
As a Belfer Center Senior Fellow, Sherwood-Randall is researching the future of nuclear deterrence, energy security, and the intersection of national security and energy.
Jake Sullivan Former Senior Policy Advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign
Jake Sullivan has been a distinguished visiting lecturer at Yale Law School since 2014, and was senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Previously, he served as Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State and as National Security Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden. During his tenure in government, Sullivan launched the negotiations that resulted in the nuclear agreement with Iran and played a key role in the opening to Burma.
As a Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Future of Diplomacy Project, Sullivan shares his expertise with Kennedy School students and fellows and contributes to the Project’s goal of advancing the public understanding of diplomacy and its practice for the United States.
Gregory Treverton Former Chair, National Intelligence Council
As Chair of the National Intelligence Council from 2014-17, Gregory Treverton provided both strategic intelligence and more immediate intelligence support to senior foreign policymakers in the U.S. government. Earlier, he directed RAND Corporation’s Center for Global Risk and Security and before that its Intelligence Policy Center. Earlier, as Vice Chair of the National Intelligence Council, he oversaw the writing of America’s National Intelligence Estimates.
As a Senior Fellow, Treverton shares his experience in government, intelligence, and security with students, fellows, and faculty.