Kelly Magsamen is former Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (2021-2024) and a Senior Advisor at The Asia Group (TAG). Kelly is a senior executive and national security leader with over two decades of experience across Republican and Democratic Administrations. In her last role in government as Chief of Staff, Kelly was the principal strategic advisor to Secretary Austin and led the development and implementation of the Secretary’s priorities across all aspects of the Department of Defense, including defense policy and operational issues, intelligence priorities, and personnel and readiness. During her tenure Kelly advanced several enduring initiatives, including the development of the National Defense Strategy, the establishment of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and the institutionalization of AUKUS.
Earlier in her career, Kelly served as the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs (2014-2017), where she was responsible for the development and oversight of U.S. defense policy and strategy in the Asia-Pacific. In this role, she represented the Department in bilateral and multilateral security dialogues with key allies and partners across Asia, including Japan, Korea, Australia, India and the Philippines.
At the White House, Kelly served in various roles on the National Security Council staff under two Presidents, including as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Strategic Planning (2012-2014) where she was responsible for long-term national security planning as well as the development of the U.S. National Security Strategy. She also served as Senior Advisor for Middle East Reform (2011-2012) and the Director for Iran (2008-2011). Kelly began her government career as a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State.
From 2017-2021, Kelly was the Vice President for National Security at the Center for American Progress and was a frequent commentator on CNN and MSNBC. She served as an advisory board member for Foreign Policy for America, National Security Action, and the American Australia Council. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Kelly received her B.A. from American University and her M.A. from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Secretary of Defense, the Agency Seal Medal from the Central Intelligence Agency, and multiple Superior Honor awards from the Department of State. She currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her beloved rescue dog Arlo.