Deputy Director for the defense security cooperation
agency
Mary Beth Morgan serves as the Deputy Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). She is responsible for oversight of DSCA’s diverse portfolio of Security Cooperation programs and for working with external stakeholders to synchronize DSCA activities with foreign policy and national security objectives.
Previously, Ms. Morgan served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration & Defense Support of Civil Authorities in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). She was responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of the Department of Defense’s homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities policy, plans, and programs. She also led DoD’s participation in the interagency development of integrated national preparedness frameworks and plans. Prior to this assignment, Ms. Morgan served as the OSD Chair and Assistant Professor at the National War College where she led future senior leaders of the U.S. and Allied/Partner Armed Forces, Department of State, and other civilian agencies in a senior-level course of study in national security strategy. In addition, she transformed and taught the College’s comprehensive China practicum.
Before that, Ms. Morgan served as the Principal Director for East Asia in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. She was responsible for advising the Department’s senior leadership on the development and implementation of defense strategies, plans, policies, and bilateral security relations for the East Asia region (Australia, China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Taiwan, and Antarctica). Ms. Morgan developed policy and plans to implement the 2018 National Defense Strategy to address long-term competition with China, to include the creation of a new Office of the DASD for China. She also oversaw all aspects of U.S. bilateral and multilateral security relationships within the region and led strategic reviews, policy dialogues, and negotiations with regional Allies and Partners.
Prior to her East Asia assignment, Ms. Morgan served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Global Security (ASD). She also served as the Director for Cyber Strategy and International Engagement and was a founding member of OSD Policy’s Cyber Policy Office. Ms. Morgan led the establishment and growth of the Department’s international cyber partnerships with key nations and multilateral organizations throughout Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East. She also developed and implemented major whole-of nation and Departmental approaches to managing key cyber threats.
Before joining the Department of Defense, Ms. Morgan was a Presidential Management Fellow and served as the Director for Korea and Taiwan Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. She was responsible for enhancing market access for U.S. industry and ensuring partner compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Her work culminated in the launching of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement negotiations. In addition, Ms. Morgan served as an industry analyst responsible for automotive trade issues related to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. She served as a principal member of the U.S.-Japan Automotive Framework Agreement Enforcement Team and as the U.S. lead for U.S.-Korea motor vehicle discussions.
Ms. Morgan holds both a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University. She is also a graduate of the National War College, earning a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. Her awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, Bronze Palm.