Jerry Laurienti
Adjunct Lecturer - Bush School DC
Dr. Jerry Laurienti has spent 25 years as a national security professional, including in senior positions at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), US State Department (State), and Department of Defense (DoD). In his last role, he served on CIA’s Leadership Board, reserved for the senior team at the Agency to make key decisions about the organization's future. He is recognized most for his deep national security and foreign policy expertise, ability to tackle large problems, and knack for leading people. He is a recipient of the CIA Director’s Award—the most senior Director of CIA (DCIA) accolade. Jerry is CIA’s inaugural recipient of the Directorate of Analysis First-Line Supervisor and Second-Line Supervisor of the Year awards. He also received the CIA Mentor of the Year Award, nominated by staff officers.
Dr. Laurienti is a well-known and regarded expert on the business of intelligence, particularly analysis, writing, briefing, and the themes of international security, global geopolitics, Africa, and the Global South. He is a regularly featured speaker across the Intelligence and Policy Communities and in the private sector, including with appearances in the venture capital defense industry. He served as the CIA’s senior leader in charge of analysis on key regions and topics, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Global Energy and Climate. He was chief of CIA’s Near East Mission Center Iraq Department and Deputy Chief and Acting Chief of Syria-Iraq Department. He was most recently appointed as the first Special Advisor to CIA’s Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis, where he advises on the future of analytic tradecraft, including its intersection with technology. He earned his BA from the University of Southern California, where he was a walk-on member of the USC Trojan football. He earned his Ph.D. in international affairs and international security from the University of Denver, Korbel School.
Dr. Laurienti is a well-known and regarded expert on the business of intelligence, particularly analysis, writing, briefing, and the themes of international security, global geopolitics, Africa, and the Global South. He is a regularly featured speaker across the Intelligence and Policy Communities and in the private sector, including with appearances in the venture capital defense industry. He served as the CIA’s senior leader in charge of analysis on key regions and topics, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Global Energy and Climate. He was chief of CIA’s Near East Mission Center Iraq Department and Deputy Chief and Acting Chief of Syria-Iraq Department. He was most recently appointed as the first Special Advisor to CIA’s Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis, where he advises on the future of analytic tradecraft, including its intersection with technology. He earned his BA from the University of Southern California, where he was a walk-on member of the USC Trojan football. He earned his Ph.D. in international affairs and international security from the University of Denver, Korbel School.
