Dr. Ryan Donaghy has announced on LinkedIn her new role as the Acting Deputy Assistant Director for Stakeholder Engagement at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Previously, Dr. Donaghy served as the Associate Director for Planning and Innovation at CISA. In that capacity, she led initiatives aimed at advancing infrastructure security and resilience. Her work focused on building innovation networks to develop policy and technology solutions addressing the nation’s critical infrastructure challenges. Her efforts in this role have significantly contributed to enhancing the security framework within which the agency operates.
Dr. Donaghy brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She has an extensive background in research and development, decision science, risk management, and both cyber and physical security policy. Since joining CISA in 2016, she has held multiple leadership roles, demonstrating her capability in steering complex projects and fostering innovation in security practices.
Before her tenure at CISA, Dr. Donaghy was a college professor for over a decade, where she taught courses on research design and data analysis, public policy, and conflict and negotiation. Her academic career also includes a period as an independent researcher and instructor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she further honed her expertise in public policy and data analysis.
Dr. Donaghy’s educational qualifications are impressive, with master’s degrees from Arizona State University and Harvard University, and a doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her diverse academic and professional background equips her with a unique perspective on the multifaceted issues facing national cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience.
As the Acting Deputy Assistant Director for Stakeholder Engagement, Dr. Donaghy will play a crucial role in ensuring that CISA’s initiatives are aligned with the needs and expectations of its stakeholders. Her leadership is expected to drive forward the agency’s mission to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure against emerging threats and enhance its overall resilience.