Shana Tarbell

Shana Tarbell is responsible for much of the foundation’s daily operations, overseeing several teams: Global Security, Facilities, Events, and Travel; Information Technology; Grants and Contracts Services; and Business Design. In this role, she provides guidance and leads strategic planning to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness in support of the foundation’s mission.

Shana most recently served as the foundation’s chief security officer, managing all aspects of staff safety and security, including information security.

Before joining the foundation in 2015 as a deputy director on the Security team, Shana had an 18-year career at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she served on the Senior Intelligence Service and worked on a broad range of global issues. In recognition of her sustained excellence in public service at the senior executive level, Shana was awarded the federal government’s Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in 2015, an honor given to no more than 5% of federal career senior executives. While at the CIA, she also received the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

Shana has an M.A. in security policy from George Washington University and a B.A. in Russian studies and international affairs from George Mason University.