Regina Faranda
125 3rd Street NE, Washington
Summary
Research leader with 25 years of experience in national security and foreign policy, leading large-scale research, analysis, and data science organizations within the Intelligence Community. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement research strategy, managing organizations of up to 300 staff and a budget of $100 million. Expert at cultivating and maintaining trusted relationships with senior officials, prominent research organizations, and international partners.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
04.2022 - Current
- Directed the production of classified assessments, overseeing all research activities for the oldest civilian intelligence agency. Evaluated policy risks and opportunities for senior stakeholders, providing analysis across all global regions, aligning research initiatives with national security priorities.
- Aligned the work of 300 research staff and a budget of $100 million to national security priorities. Fostered a climate of innovation to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality intelligence products.
- Spearheaded the integration of advanced tradecraft, artificial intelligence, data science, and visualization to significantly enhance analytical capabilities, improving the clarity and impact of research in high-stakes decision-making.
- Served as the principal analytic liaison to the Secretary of State, White House, National Security Council, and Congress on fast-moving policy developments.
- Worked closely with academic and industry research partners on national security projects.
Director, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
05.2016 - 04.2022
- Directed a major research division, overseeing the work of 31 experts in foreign affairs and survey research. Managed over 200 contracts for global polling in 100 countries and established strategic funding priorities for a research budget of nearly $8 million annually.
- Fostered strong interagency and external relationships, establishing the leading consortium for foreign public opinion expertise globally. Secured an additional $5 million from partners to fund programs of mutual concern, maintaining leadership relationships with prominent research organizations and non-governmental partners.
- Directed the collection and analysis of polling data and all-source intelligence, ensuring all assessments met the highest methodological standards and high-quality standards required for principal-level briefings.
- Represented the Department of State on the Intelligence Community 's Data Science Tradecraft Initiative.
Deputy and Acting Director, Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
04.2011 - 05.2016
- Led research and intelligence collection efforts on sensitive geopolitical issues, aligning operations with interagency and congressional priorities.
- Coordinated with State and Intelligence Community principals to ensure analysis met evolving national security needs.
- Delivered intelligence briefings to policymakers in Washington and abroad using innovative tradecraft.
Europe-Eurasia Division Chief, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
09.2008 - 04.2011
- Directed strategic intelligence analysis of European and Eurasian political developments with a $1M research portfolio.
- Negotiated research priorities with senior policymakers, and implemented innovative methodologies for geopolitical analysis.
- Supervised production of intelligence assessments adhering to the highest methodological standards.
Eurasia Analyst, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
09.2000 - 09.2008
- Analyzed the complex relationships between public opinion and political, military, economic, and social issues using rigorous social science and intelligence tradecraft.
- Delivered all-source intelligence on Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, and Afghanistan, providing actionable insights for national security decision-makers.
Education
Master of Science - Government, Russian, Economics
Georgetown University
Washington, DCBachelor of Arts - History, Russian, Summa Cum Laude
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OHCertificate - Ukrainian Research Institute
Harvard University
Cambridge, MACertificate - Joint Program in Survey Methodology
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MDCertificate - Structural Equation Modeling, Multi-level Analysis, and Bayesian Statistics
The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Skills
- Research and analysis program leadership
- Academic and global partnerships
- Multi-million dollar budget management
- Study design and quality oversight
- Senior policy advising
- Team recruitment and mentoring
- Data science and AI adoption
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Service and Professional Affiliations
Fellowships and Awards
- Secretary's Career Achievement Award, 2025
- The Bureau of Intelligence and Research's Centurion Award, 2025
- Senior Executive Service Performance Awards, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, 2021, For Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Meritorious Honor Award, 2014, For support to the President’s Daily Brief
- Partnership for Public Service’s Excellence in Government Program Fellow, 2014
- Superior Honor Award, 2012, In recognition of policy support to Public Diplomacy clients
- INR Analyst of the Year Superior Honor Award, 2010, Exemplary support to the President’s Daily Brief
- Superior Honor Award, 2009, For outstanding analysis of public opinion in Afghanistan
- Superior Honor Award, 2008, For exemplary all-source analysis of Russian social issues
- Meritorious Honor Award, 2006, For innovation in statistical methods for intelligence analysis
- Presidential Management Fellow, 2000-2002
Timeline
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
04.2022 - Current
Director, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
05.2016 - 04.2022
Deputy and Acting Director, Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
04.2011 - 05.2016
Europe-Eurasia Division Chief, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
09.2008 - 04.2011
Eurasia Analyst, Office of Opinion Research
US Department of State, Intelligence and Research
09.2000 - 09.2008
Certificate - Structural Equation Modeling, Multi-level Analysis, and Bayesian Statistics
The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Master of Science - Government, Russian, Economics
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Arts - History, Russian, Summa Cum Laude
The Ohio State University
Certificate - Ukrainian Research Institute
Harvard University
Certificate - Joint Program in Survey Methodology
University of Maryland, College Park
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