Michelle Cann

MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Influencing the outcomes of the Nuclear Security Summit process through recommendations, analysis and engagement in collaboration with other civil society experts. My role as a strategic planner in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Safety, Infrastructure and Operations is to develop a long-term strategic plan for investing in infrastructure improvements at eight national laboratories and production facilities that support the nuclear weapons stockpile, global nonproliferation efforts and naval propulsion. Prior to this, I worked for 10 years with the Partnership for Global Security, a nuclear security policy shop in Washington, D.C., on nuclear security, nuclear energy and transnational policy challenges, including researching the linkages among climate change, nuclear energy and global security issues. I have authored more than 30 reports and articles on nuclear security policy opportunities, political influences and budget trends. I have spoken at more than 20 international conference workshops and press briefings around the world.

HOW DREXEL HELPED: My senior thesis professor at Drexel encouraged me to interview a nuclear security expert for my paper. A few months later, that same expert hired me to work at his policy shop in Washington and mentored me to become the professional I am today. Without that encouragement and connection, my career may have taken a very different course.

WHERE I’LL BE IN FIVE YEARS: Enhancing national security and serving the public good as a policy professional in the U.S. government.