Rheanne Wirkkala
Rheanne Wirkkala is an American intelligence analyst and policy advisor who is the nominee to serve as assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs in the Biden administration.
Rheanne Wirkkala | |
---|---|
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs | |
Nominee | |
Assuming office TBA | |
President | Joe Biden |
Succeeding | Robert R. Hood (2020) |
Personal details | |
Spouse(s) | Ian Duncan (m. 2013) |
Children | 2 |
Education | Boston University (BA) Yale University (MA) |
Education
Wirkkala graduated from Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy from Boston University and a Master of Arts in international relations from Yale University.[1][2]
Career
As a graduate student, was an intern for the Global Strategy Group and Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. She later worked as a consultant for Burson Cohn & Wolfe. From 2012 to 2015, she was an intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency, focused on political and military leadership in Pakistan and Afghanistan. From 2015 to 2020, she served as an advisor, deputy director, and director for the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.[3] In February 2021, she became a special assistant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.[4]
Biden administration
On March 11, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Wirkkala to be an assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs.[5] Her nomination is pending before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Personal life
Wirkkala is married to Ian Duncan, a transportation reporter for The Washington Post. They have two children and live in Maryland.[6][7][8]
References
- staff, eCampus News; Reports, Wire (2012-03-27). "Graduate school applicants use social media to bypass admissions offices". eCampus News. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- "School Briefs". HeraldNet.com. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- "Caffeine, Skittles, Cartwheels—How the Women Running the Impeachment Trial Make It Work". Glamour. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- "Rheanne Wirkkala - U.S. Department of Defense (Feb. 2021-), Special Assistant for Strategy to the Secretary of Defense - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- Allen, Mike. "OBAMA SEES POPE AS ALLY on economic justice -- SCOTT REED declares business-community mantra for GOP Senate candidates: 'No fools' -- DONNA BRAZILE on MRS. OBAMA, who is 50 on Jan. 17". POLITICO. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- "Washington Post hires national transportation reporter". Talking Biz News. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2022-03-11.