Meet the Board

The Defense Policy Board is currently under review by the new administration.

• Madeline K. Albright, Chair

Madeleine K. Albright

Madeleine K. Albright is a professor, author, diplomat and businesswoman who served as the 64th Secretary of State of the United States.

Dr. Albright received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour, from President Obama on May 29, 2012.

In 1997, Dr. Albright was named the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government.

As Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001, Dr. Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated for democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade, business, labor, and environmental standards abroad.

From 1993 to 1997, Dr. Albright served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was a member of the President’s Cabinet.

From 1989 to 1992, she served as President of the Center for National Policy.

Previously, she was a member of President Jimmy Carter’s National Security Council and White House staff (1978-1981) and served as Chief Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Edmund S. Muskie (1976-1978).

Since 2001, Dr. Albright has been Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

She previous served on the Georgetown faculty from 1982 to 1992.

Dr. Albright is Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm which was founded in 2011 and is now part of Dentons Global Advisors.

She is also Chair of Albright Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm established in 2005 that focuses on emerging markets.

She also chairs the National Democratic Institute, serves as the president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and is Honorary Chair of the World Refugee & Migration Council. Dr. Albright is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author.

Her most recent book, Hell and Other Destinations was published in April 2020. Her other books include: her autobiography, Madam Secretary: A Memoir (2003); The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs (2006); Memo to the President: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership (2008); Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box (2009); Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 (2012), and Fascism: A Warning (2018). Dr. Albright received a B.A. with Honors from Wellesley College, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Columbia University’s Department of Public Law and Government, as well as a Certificate from its Russian Institute. She is based in Washington, DC.