Thomas Donilon served as National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama until June of 2013. In that capacity, he oversaw the National Security Council staff, chaired the Cabinet level National Security Principals Committee, provided the President's daily national security briefing, and was responsible for the coordination and integration of the Administration's foreign policy, intelligence, and military efforts. Donilon has worked closely with and advised three U.S. Presidents since his first position at the White House in 1977.
A fascinating keynote speaker, Thomas talks about the presidency, from giving an overview of presidential decision making, to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and his perspective on U.S.- China relations. Donilon breaks down the issues that are impacting the U.S., both locally and globally.
His first position at the White House was in 1977 working with President Carter. During the Clinton Administration, he served as Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of State and was responsible for the development and implementation of the Department's major policy initiatives, including: NATO expansion, the Dayton Peace Accords, and the Middle East Peace process.
Currently, Donilon is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a non-resident Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award.
Prior to his government service, Thomas Donilon was a partner at the international law firm of O'Melveny & Myers and served as a member of the firm's global governing committee.