Anne Witkowsky

Anne Witkowsky is a senior adviser (non-resident) with the Global Development Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She served as the assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations at the Department of State from 2022 to 2025, leading U.S. efforts to prevent conflict and promote stability in volatile regions. At the Department of Defense, she served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for stability and humanitarian affairs (2014–2016). Her Department of State roles include deputy coordinator for homeland security and multilateral affairs (2009–2013) and acting principal deputy coordinator (2012–2013) within the Bureau of Counterterrorism. Between 1993 and 2000, Ms. Witkowsky served as a director for defense policy and arms control on the White House National Security Council staff, overseeing conventional arms control and European security. She began her government career in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy with roles in the Offices of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasian Affairs, and European Security Negotiations. Ms. Witkowsky led task force studies and research at CSIS and Freedom House. She has lectured on national security decisionmaking, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Ms. Witkowsky holds a bachelor of arts from Yale University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Her accomplishments have been recognized with State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.