The Honorable Kirsten D. Madison

Kirsten D. Madison was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) on May 11, 2018. As Assistant Secretary, she is responsible for State Department programs combating illicit drugs and organized crime, as well as support for law enforcement and rule of law.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Madison served in senior leadership positions at the White House, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Ms. Madison’s prior executive branch service includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs on the National Security Council, and Director of International Affairs and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commandant of Coast Guard.

She also served in the legislative branch, including having served as a Senior Professional Staff Member and Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, as well as Legislative Director and international affairs advisor for Representative Porter Goss.

Outside of her time in government, Ms. Madison served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States. She most recently worked at the American Enterprise Institute as Deputy Director for Foreign and Defense Policy Studies.

Ms. Madison holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and a B.A. from Goucher College.