2014 Graduation Speaker: Thomas E. Donilon

Thomas E. Donilon, former National Security Advisor to President Obama, will be the featured speaker at SIPA’s graduation ceremonies on May 22, 2014.

The National Security Advisor oversees the National Security Council staff, chairs the National Security Principals Committee, provides the president's daily national security briefing, and coordinates and integrates the administration's foreign policy, intelligence, and military efforts. President Obama praised Donilon as a “premier foreign policy leader… He has helped shape every single national security policy of my presidency -- from forging a new national security strategy rooted in our economic strength here at home to ending the war in Iraq.  Here at the White House, Tom oversaw the operation that led us to bin Laden.  He’s helped keep our transition on track as we wind down the war in Afghanistan.” (Complete remarks)

“The School is extremely fortunate to be able to welcome and hear from a remarkable public servant who has worked on United States security and foreign policy at the highest levels,” said Dean Merit E. Janow.

Donilon also served two earlier presidents, beginning in 1977, when he joined the Carter White House at the age of 22. He later served President Clinton as assistant secretary of state and State Department chief of staff, working on policy initiatives including NATO expansion, the Dayton Peace Accords, and the Middle East peace process.

After the 2008 election, Donilon assisted in the Obama presidential transition and went on to serve as Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor before becoming National Security Advisor.

He is currently Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Before joining the Obama administration, Donilon worked outside of government, most recently as a partner at the international law firm of O’Melveny & Myers.

Donilon also sits on the advisory board for the Center on Global Energy Policy at SIPA and was a keynote speaker at the Center’s formal re-launch in April 2013.

Donilon earned his undergraduate degree at Catholic University of America and his law degree at the University of Virginia. Over the years he has received numerous awards and honors including the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award and the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal.

He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Cathy Russell and his children Sarah and Teddy. Cathy is U.S. Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues at the Department of State.

As in years past, the selection was informed by a SIPA Student Association-administered survey that collected student input on possible graduation speakers.