CNAS Welcomes Sarah Smedley, Cory Simpson, and Ryan Fedasiuk as Adjunct Fellows

Washington, March 14, 2022—The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is pleased to welcome three new fellows—Sarah Smedley, Cory Simpson, and Ryan Fedasiuk—to a talented lineup of research experts. Smedley joins the Defense Program at CNAS, while Simpson and Fedasiuk join the Technology and National Security Program.

Smedley (Ph.D.), an Adjunct Senior Fellow, focuses on using wargames to assess the effectiveness of alternative military strategies, their associated force planning requirements, and the strengths and weaknesses of divergent future operational concepts.

In addition to her work at CNAS, Smedley serves as the Director of Analysis at Govini, a national security focused decision science and analytics software company. Prior to joining CNAS, Sarah served as a Senior Strategic Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development. She has also served as a Research Scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sarah Smedley to our team of defense strategists,” said Stacie Pettyjohn, Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense Program. “Based on her wargaming and analysis for the U.S. Department of Defense, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge to CNAS."

Simpson (J.D., L.L.M.), an Adjunct Senior Fellow, focuses on cyber strategy, data security and privacy, geopolitics, and emerging technology. Simpson also serves as Executive Vice President at Resolute Strategic Services, where he partners with business leaders in navigating the most complex and consequential challenges and opportunities they and their organizations face.

Simpson is a former Senior Director and Lead for the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission with more than twenty years of experience in the military, government, and the private sector at the intersection of cybersecurity, law, and strategy. Simpson served on active duty in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 2004 to 2016 and continues to serve in the Army Reserve.

Fedasiuk, an Adjunct Fellow, also serves as a Research Analyst at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET). His work focuses on U.S. national competitiveness, military applications of artificial intelligence, and China’s influence operations and efforts to acquire foreign technology.

Prior to joining CNAS, Fedasiuk worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Arms Control Association, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, and the Council on Foreign Relations, where he primarily covered aerospace and nuclear issues.

"I'm very excited to welcome Cory and Ryan to CNAS," said Martijn Rasser, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program. "Their expertise and experience will be invaluable to the expanding scope of our work at the intersection of technology and national security."