Mary Ellen Callahan is the firebrand of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office, where her leadership has ignited a powerful push for reauthorization and innovation. In August 2023, Mary Ellen commenced serving as Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. CWMD leads the Department’s efforts and coordinates with domestic and international partners to safeguard the United States against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Mary Ellen has also fought hard for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) reauthorization.
“The end of CFATS authorization has, in my opinion, affected our chemical readiness with regard to identifying threats that would be in chemical facilities,” Callahan said. “CFATS and CWMD are siblings. And they work together closely and we are missing them in this whole of government thread.”
Meanwhile, the CWMD office is also playing a role in analyzing how artificial intelligence could pose threats to homeland security. Under President Joe Biden’s AI executive order, DHS is working with White House science advisors and the Department of Energy on an evaluation of “CBRN-specific risks of AI and how AI could be applied to mitigating CBRN threats,” Callahan testified.
Mary Ellen’s advocacy for CFATS and CWMD has been like a flame that refuses to be extinguished, burning brightly despite the challenges and setbacks. Her strategic approach to integrating AI into CBRN threat analysis is a testament to her forward-thinking mindset, ensuring that the CWMD office is equipped to handle emerging threats. Mary Ellen’s work is not just about maintaining security; it is about driving innovation and ensuring that the CWMD office remains a leader in the field.