Liza Tobin
Reston,VA
Summary
National security strategist adept at building public-private coalitions and leading strategic change on China, technology, and economics policies. Adept at fostering key partnerships and delivering policy insights. Renowned for advanced Chinese linguistics and strategic analysis, consistently driving interagency collaboration and achieving significant policy impacts. Skilled communicator and published author, recognized for exceptional leadership and analytical acumen.
Multi-tasking manager known for developing high-morale, high-performance teams.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director for Economy
Special Competitive Studies Project
11.2021 - Current
- Written reports, briefings
- Expo
- Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration, inclusion, and quality, consistently earning praise for leading a high-morale, high-productivity team.
Economic and Political Analyst
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
08.2006 - Current
- Briefed Cabinet-level policymakers, military leaders and foreign partners on economic, political, and military developments in East Asia, resulting in greater understanding of global strategic competition and geopolitical dynamics
- Established reputation in IC as a leading expert on key East Asian regional economic issues
- Took on broadening analytic portfolios and earned multiple promotions due to high performance
- Recognized among managers and peers as foremost Intelligence Community expert on state-owned enterprise issues in East Asia
- Received Exceptional Performance Award for Superior Tradecraft for demonstrating strong methodology and utilizing creative research approaches effectively
- Used advanced Chinese language skills to conduct research in open-source Chinese documents, providing unique insights not available in conventional information sources
- Worked independently and in teams to produced President’s Daily Briefs and other finished products that met and exceeded customer needs for timely, accurate intelligence assessments
- Consistently praised as among the most, or the most, skilled writer and briefer on the team
- Demonstrated the ability to lead people by mentoring junior analysts, facilitating teamwork and cooperation, and supporting colleagues to conceptualize, draft, and polish clear, concise, and policy-relevant papers
- Volunteered to serve on overnight shifts on Middle East Task Force
Director for China
National Security Council, The White House
07.2019 - 11.2021
- Coordinated and led more than a dozen NSC policy processes on the People's Republic of China (PRC), resulting in improved implementation the 2017 U.S National Security Strategy (NSS) and U.S Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific across Executive Branch departments and agencies, including State, DOD, Treasury, Commerce, Energy, USTR, USAID, EXIM, DFC, OMB, and others
- Managed complex NSC Deputies Committee (DC) meetings by proposing agendas, drafting discussion papers and action plans, and communicating Deputies’ guidance to departments agencies. Topics included President Biden's review of the Section 301 tariffs and development of strategies for US-China climate dialogue, PRC overseas military expansion, Belt and Road Initiative, critical technology issues, disinformation, G20 debt relief, and PRC malign influence in Africa, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean
- Co-authored the first-ever whole-of-government China strategy, the United States Strategic Approach to the PRC, fulfilling Congressional mandate. Coordinated inputs from 20 departments and agencies, adjudicating substantive disagreement and achieving Deputies' unanimous endorsement.
- Identified PRC malign global fishing practices as an urgent, cross-cutting policy challenge and led the development of an action plan that resulted in a National Security Memorandum Government actions to counter PRC malign conduct globally, including predatory lending and illegal, unreported, and undocumented (IUU) fishing
- Sustained policy focus on critical China issues amid a transition from the Trump to the Biden administration. Ensured the continuity of whole-of-government focus and on countering harmful PRC policies and practices around the world.
- Engaged frequently with U.S allies and partners, businesses, think tanks, and journalists, to explain and advocate for U.S. China policies, resulting in greater domestic and international consensus on U.S. China policies
- Prepared high-quality briefing materials, speeches, and talking points for the President, Vice President, National Security Advisor, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Senior Directors for Asia, Europe, Africa, International Economics, and Climate, and others, in two different administrations
- Fostered an inclusive environment and improved teamwork and communication across departments and agencies, improving morale and driving sustained focus on U.S. policy priorities
Special Adviser
China Strategic Focus Group, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)
11.2015 - 12.2018
- Detailed from CIA to advise USINDOPACOM Commander on China’s economic, foreign, and national security policies and strategies
- Briefed Acting Secretary of Defense, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, service chiefs, and intelligence community (IC) leaders on PRC strategic signaling campaigns, in response to by-name requests by the Commanders of USINDOPACOM and US Army Pacific
- Provided dozens of high-quality written products and briefings analyzing PRC-related risks to national security
- CIA Exceptional Performance Award for strengthening the Agency’s analytic focus on USINDOPACOM priorities
- Initiated and led year-long analytic project, 'China: Economics, Force, and Statecraft,' resulting in greater U.S
- Government understanding of the role of economic leverage in U.S.-China competition and conflict
- Effectively managed human, financial, and information resources by assembled diverse team of private sector and IC experts and overseeing nearly $1 million in contracted research
- Resulted in actionable insights for policymakers at DOD, State, Treasury, and Commerce, and NSC on PRC economic statecraft, including Belt and Road Initiative and Made in China 2025 plan
- Achieved more realistic military contingency planning and deeper understanding of U.S
- And PRC tools for economic competition
- Conducted in-depth research using Chinese-language primary source documents resulting in two peer-reviewed articles on China’s maritime strategy
- Articles were frequently cited in scholarly articles and assigned as reading in graduate-level courses
- Supervised and mentored government detailees and contract employees, developing their communication and program management skills
- Successfully transferred all responsibilities for managing a $2 million/year program for analyzing PRC strategic signaling, ensuring the program’s continued success after my departure
Chinese Language Analyst
Defense Group, Inc.
05.2005 - 07.2006
- Discovered, translated, and analyzed Chinese language open-source documents for U.S
- Government clients on Chinese science, technology, and defense-related issues
- Wrote high-quality research reports on Chinese science, technology, and defense-related issues that met client needs for insights into China’s industrial plans
Graduate Student Intern
Office of Industrial Policy, Department of Defense
05.2004 - 08.2004
- Worked with a small government team to research and draft a DOD report on the effect of rising Chinese demand on the price of strategic metals used in military aircraft, and the implications for U.S
- Defense industry
- Engaged with business executives, the IC, and defense industry experts to gather information, assess industry trends, and brief interlocutors on DOD concerns
Program Assistant
China Studies Program, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities
08.2002 - 05.2003
- Primary guide and mentor for American college students on semester abroad program in Xiamen, China
- Effectively supervised students’ academic classes, program participation, and ensured students day-to-day needs were met in a foreign environment
- Collaborated with Program Director to foster an inclusive environment for students to adjust to a foreign culture, study Chinese, and experience personal and academic growth
- Led 3-week study tours for teams of 12-15 students to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Quanzhou
- Planned and managed human, financial, and information resources effectively to ensure smooth travel and student safety; continually calculated risks and made adjustments to achieve program objectives
- Responded effectively to student health emergencies
- Used cultural knowledge and advanced Chinese language skills to assist students with hospital visits and interaction with university staff
- Supported constructive resolution of students’ interpersonal conflicts and fostered teamwork and camaraderie
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Washington, DC01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - China Studies and Biblical Studies
Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts01.2002
Skills
- Leader of strategic change
- Builder of interagency and international coalitions
- Skilled national security strategist
- Communicator
- China expert
- Published author
- Chinese linguist
Publications
- Xi’s Vision for Transforming Global Governance: A Strategic Challenge for the United States and Its Allies, Texas National Security Review, 11/01/18
- Wind in the Sails: China Accelerates Its Maritime Strategy, War on the Rocks, 05/01/18
- Underway: Beijing’s Strategy to Build China Into a Maritime Great Power, Naval War College Review, Spring 2018
Timeline
Senior Director for Economy
Special Competitive Studies Project
11.2021 - Current
Director for China
National Security Council, The White House
07.2019 - 11.2021
Special Adviser
China Strategic Focus Group, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)
11.2015 - 12.2018
Economic and Political Analyst
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
08.2006 - Current
Chinese Language Analyst
Defense Group, Inc.
05.2005 - 07.2006
Graduate Student Intern
Office of Industrial Policy, Department of Defense
05.2004 - 08.2004
Program Assistant
China Studies Program, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities
08.2002 - 05.2003
Master of Arts - International Relations
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Bachelor of Arts - China Studies and Biblical Studies
Gordon College
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