Michelle Strucke

Michelle Strucke is an experienced international advocate and policy professional with with experience over the last fifteen years focusing on human rights, humanitarian and development assistance, and intersections with situations of conflict. She currently serves as the Director and Senior Fellow for the Humanitarian Agenda at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She was appointed by the White House as the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Partnerships, with policy responsibility for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, international humanitarian policy, Women, Peace and Security, and security cooperation. Prior to this role, she served as Principal Director for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs. Prior to serving in the federal government, Michelle served in a variety of non-profit organizations. At Oxfam, Michelle was responsible for managing a global policy influencing program aimed at transforming the global aid and development finance system so that it is more accountable to the poor. Michelle's previous work at Oxfam focuses on transforming the humanitarian system by building local leadership and helping countries become more self-reliant in emergency response. Her previous work includes advocacy for non-profits focusing on international human rights issues, strategic communications/cultural advising for the federal government (DOD), and leading humanitarian, USAID-funded programs in Syria, Turkey, and Jordan. She regularly leads advocacy campaigns, develops policy positions, secures new funding for non-profits, and relishes the challenge of leading change in complex environments. She relishes the opportunity to find practical policy and program solutions to complex international challenges. And she is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity in decision-making and working across silos. In 2016, she was appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to serve as a member of the Virginia Council on Women, and she was reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam in 2020. Michelle serves as Vice-Chair of the Council and Chair of the Healthcare Subcommittee, where she leads the Council's efforts to support the state-wide goal to eliminate racial disparities in maternal mortality by 2025. She is also a 2017 Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project. Michelle is known for her energy, personality, strength in persuasive argument, and attention to detail, and as a passionate advocate for the rights of minorities and members of disadvantaged groups.