Lauren F. Dickey, Geopolitical Risk

About

Dr. Lauren Dickey is currently Senior Manager, Geopolitical Intelligence and Integration at Harman International Industries. She is also a Senior Associate (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). Previously, Lauren served from 2020-2024 as the senior advisor for Taiwan policy in the U.S. Department of Defense. In this capacity, she led the development and implementation of all elements of the U.S.-Taiwan defense relationship for the Department and in partnership with the interagency. Prior to her position in DoD, Lauren was a research scientist focused on Chinese military issues at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) beginning in 2017. Lauren has continued to publish original research and analysis throughout each of her roles on a range of Indo-Pacific security issues, though her area of primary expertise is the political-military relationship between China and Taiwan.

Lauren earned a Ph.D. in War Studies from King's College London, an M.A. in International Studies and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and a B.A. in Asian Studies and Chinese from the University of Oregon. She is currently a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations, an advocate for young women in national security through Girl Security, and an alumna of the Aspen Strategy Group Rising Leaders Program.

Roles

Apr 2024–Present

Current role

Senior Manager, Geopolitical Intelligence

Harman International Industries

New York, New York

Planning, Policy, StrategyProjects, Programs and Advisors

• Serves as chief intelligence officer to Harman executive leadership and subject matter expert on geopolitical risk.
• Supports ongoing strategy development to reflect evolving U.S. government policies toward China, regulations on connected vehicles, and other policy issues.
• Leads development of company-wide framework to institutionalize geopolitical issues into existing risk management processes.
• Maintains critical relationships with key external partners, including government entities and global affairs leaders.

Mar 2024–Present

Current role

Senior Associate (Non-resident), China Power Project

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Washington, District of Columbia

Jan 2020–Mar 2024

Former role

Senior Advisor/Acting Director

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Office of the Secretary of Defense

District of Columbia

Planning, Policy, StrategyForeign Relations / Diplomacy

• Led the development and implementation of U.S. defense policy for Taiwan through intra-DoD collaboration across the U.S. government. Presided over 2x growth in desk staff, and actively mentored the next generation of U.S.-Taiwan defense policy professionals.
• Executed the first-ever use of Presidential drawdown authority (PDA) for Taiwan within the Department and in close partnership with Congressional staff.
• Implemented a program of analysis to support concept development and capability acquisitions by the U.S. and Taiwan.
• Led cross-functional teams from across the Department tasked with responding to real-world events pertaining to U.S.-China and U.S.-Taiwan relations.
• Nominated by peers for Action Officer of the Year (2023).

Jul 2017–Feb 2023

Former role

Research Scientist

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Contractor - Center for Naval Analyses

Virginia

Research ScientistPlanning, Policy, Strategy

• Directed research and analytical efforts, using primary source Chinese texts, for studies on the People's Liberation Army for USG sponsors.
• Led and managed research team to conduct multi-year project on PRC influence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Participated regularly in Track 1.5 dialogues with Indo-Pacific partner nations. Supported and led public outreach and engagement on broad range of national security issues.

Jul 2013–Sep 2015

Former role

Research Associate, U.S. Foreign Policy

Council on Foreign Relations

Washington, District of Columbia

ResearchPlanning, Policy, Strategy