Resume

Current Employment

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America – Director of Communications and Legal Strategy

2019 – Current; New York, NY

  • Serve on executive leadership team of leading non-profit devoted to military service members and veterans.

Think Tank & Academic Experience

Council on Foreign Relations – International Affairs Fellow (Canada) (2017-2018; Ottawa, Ontario)

  • First selectee for new program focusing on Canadian-American defense, law and arctic security.
  • Visiting fellow, Global Affairs Canada (foreign affairs ministry) in Circumpolar Affairs Division.
  • Visiting fellow, Department of National Defence in Directorate for Policy Development.

Atlantic Council – Non-Resident Senior Fellow (2019 – Current; Washington, DC)

Center for Strategic and International Studies – Non-Resident Senior Associate (2018 – Current; Washington, DC)

University of Ottawa – Visiting Scholar (2017 – 2018; Ottawa, Ontario)

Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) – Fellow (2017 – Current; Ottawa, Ontario)

Center for a New American Security – Adjunct Senior Fellow, Military Veterans and Society (2017; Washington, DC)

Federal Government & Military Experience

United States Marine Corps Reserve – Judge Advocate

2015 – Current; NATO (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy)

  • Support NATO as Legal Advisor
  • Drafted U.S. Africa Command’s manual and instruction on human rights compliance
  • Primary author/briefer for Strategic Action Plan.

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) – Senior Advisor, International Humanitarian Policy

2016; Pentagon, Arlington, VA

  • Senior policy advisor in the office of Stability and Humanitarian Affairs. Established and coordinated DoD position on international humanitarian law and human rights law. Advised on compliance with domestic authorities related to casualties, claims, and human rights.
  • Represented DoD to White House, NGOs on human rights, international humanitarian law.
  • Awarded Office of the Secretary of Defense Group Achievement Award

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) – Special Assistant

2015 – 2016; Pentagon, Arlington, VA

  • Served as politically appointed senior policy advisor. Coordinated and managed advice and decision points for Secretary on Readiness, Health Affairs, Women in Combat, Suicide, Veterans Transitions, and other issues.
  • Developed military health system reform included in President’s FY2017 budget and oversaw drafting and publication of new Departmental strategy on suicide prevention.

National Security Council (NSC) – Director for Defense Policy and Strategy & White House Fellow

2014 – 2015, Washington, DC

  • Selected as 2014-2015 White House Fellow. Placed at the National Security Council (NSC).
  • Senior policy advisor responsible for Defense matters related to personnel and readiness, the budget, security sector assistance, veterans and the Marine Corps.
    • Personally advised National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff to the President, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Chief of Staff to the First Lady and other senior White House leaders.
    • Coordinated deployment and redeployment of active duty defense personnel responsible for combatting Ebola in Liberia.
    • Served as liaison between White House, DoD on all personnel and readiness matters.
    • Led White House Working Group that convened senior Defense Department (DoD) and White House leaders on military personnel matters, with focus on sexual assault.

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Deputy Legal Counsel

2013 – 2014; Pentagon, Washington, DC

  • Provided legal, policy, and strategic advice to the Joint Staff, on matters concerning Defense personnel and readiness (including sexual assault, PTSD, suicide, health of the force, military justice, and women in combat), human rights law, vetting and compliance, and legislative affairs.
    • Lead Joint Staff briefer to Congress and the media on all military justice matters, including sexual assault.
    • Led coordination effort among Services, Joint Staff on responses to pending legislation.
    • Represented the Joint Staff and DoD to the State Department and think tanks on matters related to human rights compliance.

Headquarters Marine Corps, Judge Advocate Division (JAD) – Action Officer

2011 – 2013, Pentagon, Washington, DC

  • Deputy to head of Marine Corps (USMC) legal community strategy, planning and development & provisional aide to two-star general.
  • Responsible for implementation of strategic action plan and future operations planning.
  • Instructor for courses in courtroom advocacy and military justice for all USMC prosecutors.

1st Marine Division (Forward) (1st MarDiv (FWD)) – Operational Law Attorney

2010 – 2011; Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

  • Advised Commanding General and Combat Operations Officer on operational law including Rules of Engagement, targeting, weapons, and other law of armed conflict questions.
  • Managed all detainee matters in Helmand and Nimroz provinces for 1st MarDiv (FWD), which held over 90% of detainees in the region.
  • Conducted legal review of investigations related to law of armed conflict and fiscal law.

3d Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment-37 – Defense & Legal Assistance Attorney

2009 – 2011; Okinawa, Japan

  • Criminal law attorney with extensive litigation experience representing and advising Marines facing courts-martial, administrative punishment and administrative separations boards.
  • Legal aid attorney providing help with wills, family law, civil relief, regulations and immigration.

Law Firm Experience

Arnold & Porter LLP – Associate, Gov’t Contracts, Public Policy & National Security Group

2007-2008; Washington, DC

  • Conducted legal research, drafted legal memoranda and business development articles, performed document review, and drafted and assisted in conducting deposition interviews

Education

Harvard Law School

Juris Doctor, 2007

Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Masters of Public Policy, 2007

Duke University

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, 2003

Royal Military College of Canada

PhD Candidate, War Studies (beginning in 2019)