Morgan Lorraine Viña is a national security expert with a decade of experience in the executive branch, Capitol Hill, and think tank community.
Since March 2019, Morgan has served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense where she serves as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of International Security Affairs.
Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Morgan served as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley. As Chief of Staff, Morgan advised Ambassador Haley and senior mission management on executing program and policy goals. As Senior Policy Advisor, she coordinated the development and analysis of critical and sensitive UN and foreign policy priorities, resulting in a $1.3 billion reduction from the UN budget.
From 2013-2017, Morgan served as a Policy Analyst to Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where she advised the chairman on U.S. policy on international organizations, Sub-Saharan Africa, foreign assistance, and international development.
From 2008 to 2013, Morgan led The Heritage Foundation’s program on Sub-Saharan Africa, where she worked with the administration, Capitol Hill, and diplomatic and academic communities to deliver policy solutions.
Morgan is a 2007 cum laude graduate of Sweet Briar College and holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics in European Studies.