Mara Rudman

Mara Rudman is James R. Schlesinger Distinguished Professor at the University of Virginia Miller Center where she directs the Ripples of Hope Project aimed at identifying practical approaches to help democratic leaders resolve key challenges.  She also serves on the Howard University College of Arts and Sciences board of visitors.

Rudman’s government positions have included serving as deputy assistant to the president for national security affairs in the Obama and Clinton administrations; deputy envoy for the Office of the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace at the Department of State; assistant administrator for the Middle East at the U.S. Agency for International Development; and chief counsel to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Previously, Rudman was executive vice president for policy at the Center for American Progress, senior vice president for policy/projects at Business Executives for National Security, and general counsel for The Cohen Group.  She also led Quorum Strategies, a geopolitical strategic advisory firm.