Dr. LeAnne Noelani Howard

LeAnne Noelani Howard, DProf, is the senior principal, National Security, at MITRE. She leads teams supporting the Department of War and Intelligence Agencies and integrates analyses that connect a wide range of U.S. departments and agencies, allies, and partner sponsors. In this capacity, Howard advises MITRE executive leadership on U.S. and international policy and strategy to inform its scientific research, concept development, prototyping, and interoperability efforts.

Prior to joining MITRE, Howard served at the White House as National Security Council Special Advisor for NATO where she led coordination for the Alliance’s historic 75th Anniversary summit. The event, brought together heads of state from 35 countries to advance policies, increase collaboration with industry, and educate citizens on the role of NATO. Howard’s 20+ years in policy advisory and leadership positions across the U.S. government and NATO include a decade focused on global special operations and another decade on interagency, defense, and military strategy and planning.  

Howard has worked in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. She holds a doctorate in management from Cardiff Metropolitan University (NATO-sponsored program) and master’s degrees from Fairfield University (MBA), George Washington University (MPS, Legislative Affairs), and the U.S. Naval War College (MA, distinction). Howard is a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council and an adjunct professor with Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She also served as a Defense Congressional Fellow on Capitol Hill in addition to multiple Pentagon and Combatant Command tours.

A proud Honolulu native, she continues to support programs connecting the Pacific and Atlantic. She is married with two children, Logan and Joie, who regularly school her in the art of French pronunciation.