When AI governance meets cybersecurity

Jen Easterly is a globally acclaimed cybersecurity and national security leader, with deep expertise on cyber threats, emerging technologies, and organizational resilience. She most recently served as the Senate confirmed Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—America’s premiere cyber defense agency. As the Director of CISA, she led the nation’s efforts to protect critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats, transforming the agency into a $3 billion operation with over 10,000 employees and contract personnel. A combat veteran, cybersecurity pioneer, and former Wall Street technology executive, Jen brings decades of leadership experience at the intersection of technology, security, and risk. Before CISA, she served as Head of Firm Resilience at Morgan Stanley, where she built and led the company’s Cybersecurity Fusion Center, charged with protecting the Firm from cyber threats. Her public service spans more than three decades, including multiple combat deployments in the U.S. Army, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of U.S. Cyber Command and commanded the Army’s first cyber battalion. She served twice at the White House, including as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Counterterrorism and earlier as Senior Policy Advisor to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. She also served as the Deputy for Counterterrorism at the National Security Agency (NSA) and as a senior leader in Tailored Access Operations, NSA’s elite hacking team. A distinguished graduate of West Point and Rhodes Scholar, Jen is a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star as well as numerous awards, including the 2024 George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership, the 2023 Champion of Internet Freedom Award, the 2022 Admiral Grace Hopper Award, and the 2018 James W. Foley American Hostage Freedom Award. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Jen is the recipient of the Aspen Institute Finance Leaders Fellowship, the New America Foundation Senior International Security Fellowship, and the Director, National Security Agency Fellowship. A sought-after keynote speaker, Jen has provided dozens of presentations at events around the world and made numerous appearances on television and radio on topics including technology and emerging threats, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, national security, and organizational leadership and design. Beyond her professional achievements, Jen is a proud mom, mental health advocate, Rubik’s Cube enthusiast, and aspiring electric guitarist.