Maren Brooks is a true trailblazer in the world of national security, setting the field alight with her decades of expertise. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism, Maren brings a blazing 20-year career of leadership and strategic insight to one of the nation’s most critical roles. Her ability to fan the flames of innovation and strategy makes her a force to be reckoned with.
Maren’s career has been on fire from the start. Serving under three U.S. Presidents on the National Security Council, her experience spans roles as Senior Director of the White House Situation Room and Senior Advisor for Strategic Management Analysis. Each step of the way, she’s turned up the heat, handling high-stakes decisions and crisis situations with precision. Her time as Director for Transnational Crime and Counterterrorism ignited her passion for counterterrorism, setting the stage for her current role at the Department of Defense.
Maren’s journey began in the U.S. Department of State, where her contributions were nothing short of scorching. As a Program Officer in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, she set diplomatic and security strategies ablaze, later leading the Strategic Assessments Group at the National Counterterrorism Center. Her role as Senior Advisor to the Director of the NCTC only fueled her commitment to strengthening national security.
With every role she takes on, Maren fans the flames of innovation, change, and strategy. Her ability to navigate the complexities of irregular warfare and counterterrorism while keeping the fire burning for collaboration and change is what makes her a true trailblazer. She has left an indelible mark, not just as a leader but as a woman who continues to blaze trails in national security.