CNAS Announces 2019 Brimley Next Generation National Security Fellows

Washington, January 30 – The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) announced today the selection of the 2019 Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Fellows. Now it its tenth year, the Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Program is a fundamental component of CNAS’ commitment to ensuring the United States develops talented individuals dedicated to preserving and strengthening its national security. After a highly competitive process with over 260 applicants, CNAS selected a bipartisan group of 24 emerging leaders from multiple sectors. This year’s fellows include members of the military; professionals with the Department of Defense, Department of State, and the White House; congressional staffers; individuals from the private sector; journalists; think tank experts; and academics.

“Every year, I am impressed by the caliber of young, diverse leaders CNAS selects for its Brimley Next Generation program, and this year is no exception,” said Michèle Flournoy, CNAS Co-Founder and Board member, who will co-chair the program along with Robert Rangel, Lockheed Martin’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. “The 2019 Brimley Next Gen Fellows bring an incredible breadth and depth of experience to the program, and each has shown a true commitment to public service. I am proud that CNAS continues to invest in the next generation of national security leaders.”

Through this leadership development program and its monthly dinner series and small private discussions, the Brimley Next Generation Fellows will engage with those who have led before them, developing a deeper understanding of U.S. national security interests and policies, as well as leadership principles and best practices. Previous classes have met with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, former White House Chiefs of Staff Josh Bolten and Denis McDonough, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Admiral Mike Mullen, and many others. Fellows will also collaborate with CNAS experts and their colleagues on a variety of projects and participate in CNAS events. Last year’s class had the opportunity to take part in both a leadership staff ride and a week-long international study tour. Upon completion of the program, fellows remain connected to the Center through the CNAS alumni program.

“It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to engage with such successful and emerging leaders,” said Rangel. “This class of Brimley Next Generation Fellows has already accomplished a great deal in their careers and proven their commitment to leadership and national security. I look forward to supporting their development as our nation’s next generation of leaders.”

The complete list of the 2018 Brimley NextGeneration National Security Fellows is posted below. Their full biographies are also available here: https://www.cnas.org/next-gen-class-of-2019

CNAS 2019 Brimley Next Generation National Security Fellows

• Jessica Abell, Managing Director, Sayari
• Merritt Baer, Principal Security Architect, Amazon Web Services
• Dr. Omar Bashir, Senior Associate, Financial Integrity Network
• Jessica Brandt, Fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings Institution
• Desirée Cormier, Senior Director, Albright Stonebridge Group
• Ian Crone, Program Manager, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
• Maj John Galer, USAF, Legislative Liaison, United States Strategic Command
• Alex Horton, Reporter, The Washington Post
• Cristina Killingsworth, Senior Director, WestExec Advisors
• Allison Maddux, Senior Analyst, Department of Defense
• Francisco Martin-Rayo, Strategy and Organizational Transformation Expert, Boston Consulting Group
• Emily Miller, Senior Advisor, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Department of Commerce
• Amy Norris White, Director, National Security Council
• Alexander Parets, Director for Threat Finance and Sanctions, National Security Council
• Jomana Qaddour, Doctoral Student, Georgetown University Law School
• Thu Rajan, Foreign Service Officer, Department of State
• Daniel Schneiderman, Deputy U.S. Program Director, International Crisis Group
• Aaron Schumacher, Research Director, Defense Innovation Board
• Capt Kathryn Sudhoff, USMC, Legislative Advisor, Headquarters, Marine Corps
• Laura Updegrove, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, United States Senate
• Dustin Walker, Professional Staff Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
• MAJ Will Wright, USA, Special Forces Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group
• LCDR Darby Yeager, USN, Senior Instructor of Political Science, United States Naval Academy
• David Zikusoka, Master in Public Policy Candidate, Princeton University

CNAS would like to thank its partners Lockheed Martin and the American Express Foundation for their generous support of the program.

For questions concerning the fellowship, please contact nextgeneration@cnas.org.