FDD NAMES ELAINE DEZENSKI DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER ON ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL POWER

WASHINGTON, DC, July 26, 2022 — The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) has named Elaine K. Dezenski as the senior director and head of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP). FDD is a nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.

Chaired by the Hon. Juan C. Zarate, FDD’s CEFP studies national economic security with a focus on how the United States can leverage its economic and financial power to achieve its national security objectives. “Elaine is a globally recognized expert and thought leader in the field of national economic security who brings a wealth of global experience in anti-corruption, financial integrity and security, and risk management. We are honored to have her leading CEFP as we continue to innovate and drive 21st-century doctrines and strategies for the use of financial and economic power, which is taking a more predominant role in America’s national security,” says Zarate. “Elaine will build on CEFP’s ground-breaking work since its launch in 2014 and will help shape how the policy community, experts, and the private sector consider and manage the convergence of geo-economics and national security in the coming years.”

Dezenski previously held senior positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including acting and deputy assistant secretary for policy development and director of the Office of Cargo and Trade Policy. She has also held senior roles at Interpol and Cross Match Technologies. From 2010 to 2015, she served as a senior director at the World Economic Forum.

“The national security community needs to think about innovative ways to use all tools of American economic and financial power as the economic strength of America’s adversaries grows,” says FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz. “Elaine will build on CEFP’s sanctions expertise in developing tools to combat corruption, advance good governance, manage risk, and secure global supply chains. She brings deep experience and expertise to FDD, and we are privileged to have her on our team.”

In 2015, Dezenski launched LumiRisk LCC, a risk advisory practice. In 2017, she was appointed as a senior fellow at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University and served as a visiting lecturer for Yale’s Program on Ethics, Politics, and Economics. In 2020, she was appointed as a member of the newly formed Chairman’s Council on China Competition at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

In addition, Dezenski serves on the executive committee of Integrity Initiatives International, on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee of the Transportation Security Administration, and as chair of its Air Cargo Security Subcommittee.

Dezenski graduated from Wheaton College (Mass.) with a B.A. in international relations and earned a master’s degree in public policy at Georgetown University.

Previously, Dezenski authored a FDD monograph titled “Below the Belt and Road: Corruption and Illicit Dealings in China’s Global Infrastructure” (May 2020). She also co-authored a RAND report titled “Assessing the Cost of Disaster Recovery and Identifying Funding Sources in the HSOAC Puerto Rico Economic and Disaster Recovery Plan Project” (September 2020).

FDD takes a whole-of-institution approach to studying the application of economic and financial power to protect America’s interests. CEFP works closely with FDD’s two other centers on American power: the Center on Military and Political Power, chaired by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, and the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, chaired by Dr. Samantha Ravich. CEFP also works closely with FDD’s China Program, chaired by Matthew Pottinger.

To contact FDD media relations, please email [email protected].

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About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Connect with FDD on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

About FDD’s Centers on American Power:

Through FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power, Center on Economic and Financial Power, and Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, FDD experts conduct in-depth research, produce accurate and timely analyses, and provide policy options — with the aim of using all instruments of American power to strengthen U.S. national security. Each center comprises a team of FDD domain experts as well as a top-level board of advisors who provide strategic guidance, help lead initiatives, and promote research.