Elizabeth Olson
Washington
Summary
Export Controls Manager with significant experience at the Embassy of Australia, specializing in policy development and risk assessment. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and improve compliance awareness. Bilingual in Persian and Spanish, skilled in report writing and communication, providing insights that drive strategic decisions.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Export Controls Manager
Embassy of Australia
Washington
02.2023 - Current
- Advise Australian Defence Department staff regarding compliance with US export controls regulations.
- Enhance corporate understanding of export controls through creation of guidance documents and briefs.
- Facilitate U.S. export approvals for the Australian Department of Defence.
- Created monthly reports for senior management summarizing operational performance metrics.
- Maintain Positive Vetting clearance.
Assistant Director, Defence Export Controls
Department of Defence
Canberra
11.2019 - 11.2022
- Drafted policy briefs addressing key issues in US export approvals for goods and technology acquired by Defence.
- Facilitated informed decision-making on defence exports through precise internal and external correspondence.
- Led small team, delivering consistent performance evaluations and guidance on professional growth
- Executed comprehensive risk evaluations for strategic and defence exports ensuring adherence to applicable Australian export laws.
- Facilitated outreach sessions with industry partners to promote comprehension of obligations and significance of Defence Export Controls in strategic exports
- Composed clear, concise briefs to communicate export policies effectively.
English and History Teacher and Course Coordinator
ANU College
Canberra
11.2015 - 07.2019
- Developed and delivered lectures on subjects including History of Terrorism, Academic Writing Skills, and Literary Analysis.
- Managed all aspects of Terror to Terrorism, an undergraduate course, to include assessments, lectures, marking, tutorials, and student administration for 60+ students.
- Showcased proficiency in course oversight and management while serving as course coordinator for both Liberal Studies Diploma Program and Undergraduate Preparation Program.
- Designed challenging and engaging course for Advanced Academic English, enhancing academic skills.
Deputy Branch Chief and Operations Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
Columbia
09.2011 - 01.2014
- Maintained top secret clearance
- Supervised large team of analysts, ensuring high-quality performance and output.
Guided access development and intelligence production to enhance operational efficiency.
Collaborated with diverse partners to extract and reveal critical information. - Performed analysis and production for intelligence reports utilizing language and target expertise.
- Briefed intelligence community partners on key branch issues.
- Engaged with U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Assistant Deputy Director FBI, U.S. Ambassadors, and analysts from Central Intelligence Agency, State Department, Defense Intelligence Agency, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Directed US intelligence legislation compliance initiatives for branch, ensuring personnel comprehended updates to Agency compliance regulations.
Persian Language Analyst and Team Leader
Target Office
Columbia
01.2002 - 09.2011
- Translated and assisted with the publication of numerous intelligence reports.
- Delivered actionable intelligence through comprehensive reports to senior policymakers, influencing high-level decisions on critical issues.
- Identified key reporting priorities while facilitating swift and effective dissemination of essential information to intelligence community partners.
- Directed multiple teams focused on analysis, target development, and translation.
- Extensive assignments overseas facilitating multi-agency and military operations (January-September 2005).
Language Student
DoD
Columbia
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Successfully completed intensive, full-time Persian language training at Berlitz International Language School.
Education
Graduate Diploma - TESOL
University of Canberra
Canberra01.2015
M.A. - Middle East Studies
Australian National University
Canberra01.2010
M.A. - International Affairs
Georgetown University
Washington, DC01.2007
B.A. - Spanish Literature and Linguistics
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN01.2000
Skills
- Analytic achievements
- Leadership and management
- Language proficiency: Spanish, Persian, Portuguese
- Counseling and communication
- Policy crafting and analysis
- Report writing and dissemination
- Risk assessment
Professional Development
- Crafting Better Policy, Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
- Essential Writing, Petersen Ink.
- Risk for National Security Practitioners, ANU National Security College.
- Strategic Policy in Asia, ANU National Security College.
- Two advanced Persian language courses at the University of Texas and the University of Washington.
- At least six management courses to develop leadership and counselling skills.
- Report writing and dissemination courses as part of government analyst role.
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Persian
Professional
Accomplishments
- Recipient of 12 individual or team awards for analytic and leadership achievements while employed at the US Department of Defense.
- Graduate of US Department of Defense language intern program.
- Achieved honours (score over 90%) on Persian level 3 listening test.
Timeline
Export Controls Manager
Embassy of Australia
02.2023 - Current
Assistant Director, Defence Export Controls
Department of Defence
11.2019 - 11.2022
English and History Teacher and Course Coordinator
ANU College
11.2015 - 07.2019
Deputy Branch Chief and Operations Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
09.2011 - 01.2014
Persian Language Analyst and Team Leader
Target Office
01.2002 - 09.2011
Language Student
DoD
01.2001 - 12.2001
Graduate Diploma - TESOL
University of Canberra
M.A. - Middle East Studies
Australian National University
M.A. - International Affairs
Georgetown University
B.A. - Spanish Literature and Linguistics
Indiana University
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