Ms. Laipson joined the Stimson Center as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2002 after 25 years of government service. She directs the Stimson Center`s work on the Middle East/Gulf region. Her government positions included Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council, 1997-2002; Special Assistant to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1995-1997; and Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs, National Security Council, 1993-1995. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the International Advisory Council of the International Institute of Strategic Studies. In 2003, she joined the boards of The Asia Foundation and The Education for Employment Foundation. In 2009, President Obama named her to the President`s Intelligence Advisory Board. In 2011, she joined Secretary of State Clinton`s Foreign Affairs Policy Board. She has degrees from Cornell University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.