Loren DeJonge Schulman, Former Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor, Named CNAS Leon E. Panetta Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of Studies

Washington, July 27 – The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) announced today that Loren DeJonge Schulman, the former Senior Advisor to National Security Advisor Susan Rice, has joined the Center as the Leon E. Panetta Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of Studies. As Deputy Director of Studies, she will be responsible for ensuring CNAS continues to produce rigorous and innovative policy research. As the Panetta Senior Fellow, she will produce her own work on national security and defense strategy and reform. 

“Loren has helped to address many of the United States’ greatest national security challenges at the highest levels,” said CNAS Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Michèle Flournoy. “Her deep knowledge and high standards will push the work we produce and the recommendations we make to ever greater heights. We are thrilled to have her join the CNAS team.” 

Shawn Brimley, CNAS’ Executive Vice President and Director of Studies, echoed Flournoy’s comments. “I have had the good fortune to work with Loren for many years. I’ve seen firsthand both her grasp of national security issues and her leadership and collaborative abilities. She will be an invaluable member of our team, and we are privileged to have her join us.” 

Ms. Schulman most recently served as the Senior Advisor to National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Before returning to the White House in 2013, she was Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, advising on security policy issues related to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Russia. 

Schulman served as Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff from 2011–2012, contributing to the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, overseeing development of the U.S. Security Sector Assistance Policy, and coordinating U.S.-Libya policy at the outset of military intervention. Prior to that, she worked as a special assistant to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, first supporting the Obama administration's transition in the Department of Defense and later advising on the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, defense reform issues, and major interagency initiatives. 

Ms. Schulman is also an affiliate of Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation. She began her career in government as a Presidential Management Fellow. Raised in Texas, she received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and international studies from Trinity University and her Master in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota as a Distinguished Fellow for International Peace and Conflict Studies. 

About the Leon E. Panetta and Robert M. Gates Fellowships: In 2013, CNAS has established the two fellowships in honor of Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta and Robert Gates and their shared commitment to public service and bipartisan solutions to U.S. national security challenges. These fellowships are awarded to highly qualified Democratic and Republican emerging national security leaders who demonstrate extraordinary potential, a commitment to service, and the professionalism and integrity exemplified by Secretaries Panetta and Gates.