Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen M. Nielsen is an internationally recognized expert and proven leader on critical security issues facing governments and institutions, including enterprise risk, resilience, cybersecurity, and emerging threats. As a former cabinet member, attorney, public servant, successful entrepreneur, subject matter expert, and regular public speaker, she brings over two decades of domestic and international experience in the homeland and national security sectors. Secretary Nielsen was sworn in as the sixth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in December 2017. Secretary Nielsen was previously commissioned to serve as the White House Principal Deputy Chief of Staff. Before that appointment, she had the honor of serving as the DHS Chief of Staff. From 2004-2007, Ms. Nielsen served as Special Assistant to the President for Prevention, Preparedness, and Response on the White House Homeland Security Council. She also helped to stand up the Transportation Security Administration after the tragic events of 9-11 and worked for U.S. Senator Connie Mack III. She is a Member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, the U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board, Australia’s Cyber Security Industry Advisory Panel, and the Homeland Security Experts Group. She holds a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia’s School of Law.