The Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen is an internationally recognized national security expert with more than two decades of experience operating at the intersection of policy, strategy, technology, and operations. Her career has focused on helping governments and organizations anticipate emerging threats, manage systemic risk, and build resilience in an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment.

As Secretary, Ms. Nielsen advanced a posture of relentless resilience across the homeland security enterprise. Her leadership included strengthening consequences for malicious cyber actors, launching advanced initiatives to prevent terrorist travel and infiltration, and working closely with Congress to establish the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), now the nation’s lead civilian cyber defense organization. She also played a central role in developing new legislative authorities to protect civilians from emerging threats, including weaponized drones and chemical and biological risks.

Prior to serving as Secretary, Ms. Nielsen held several senior leadership roles in government, including White House Principal Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security, and Senior Director on the White House Homeland Security Council. Earlier in her career, she played a foundational role in the stand-up of the Transportation Security Administration in the aftermath of September 11, contributing to the creation of enduring security institutions designed to operate at national scale.

In the private sector, Ms. Nielsen advises government agencies, technology companies, investors, and international organizations on enterprise risk management, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, crisis response, and resilience planning. She is the founder and president of Lighthouse Strategies, a global advisory firm focused on helping organizations navigate complex policy environments, understand emerging technology risks, and align strategic decision-making with long-term resilience and security objectives.

Ms. Nielsen also serves on the Board of Directors of D-Wave Quantum Systems, Inc. (QBTS), chairing the Cybersecurity Committee, and is a Senior Policy Advisor to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Her broader public service includes serving as a Board member of the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, the Business Council for International Understanding, the Board of Advisors for the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, the National Defense University Foundation, and the Global Resilience Federation. She also serves on advisory boards of emerging technology companies spanning critical minerals, cybersecurity, AI risk, space, digital identity, and emergency communications.