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Rileigh Pedersen Joins DHS Office of the General Counsel as Special Assistant

Matt Seldon
By Matt Seldon
Veridium
Veridium
July 23, 2026

Rileigh Pedersen has joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the General Counsel as a Special Assistant.

Pedersen brings experience in government operations, national security, communications, and public policy. Before joining DHS, she served as an intern in the Office of the First Lady at the White House, where she supported the planning and execution of official events and roundtables involving international leaders.

During her White House internship, Pedersen assisted with event logistics, protocol, and messaging efforts, supporting events that welcomed more than 5,000 guests. She also monitored national and international media coverage and compiled weekly press reports for the First Lady’s office and senior staff.

In addition to her government experience, Pedersen previously served as a Media Team Lead at Camp Lurecrest, where she managed digital content production, coordinated team workflows, and delivered multimedia materials under tight deadlines.

Pedersen earned a Master of Science in National Security Policy Studies from Liberty University, along with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership/Church Ministries and Pre-Law and Policy.

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Matt Seldon, BSc., is an Editorial Associate with HSToday. He has over 20 years of experience in writing, social media, and analytics. Matt has a degree in Computer Studies from the University of South Wales in the UK. His diverse work experience includes positions at the Department for Work and Pensions and various responsibilities for a wide variety of companies in the private sector. He has been writing and editing various blogs and online content for promotional and educational purposes in his job roles since first entering the workplace. Matt has run various social media campaigns over his career on platforms including Google, Microsoft, Facebook and LinkedIn on topics surrounding promotion and education. His educational campaigns have been on topics including charity volunteering in the public sector and personal finance goals.

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