

Elena T. Bailey
Has over 19 years experience in the private and public sector, including intelligence, policy, and defense, as well as, academia and nonprofit. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the National Defense University's (NDU's) College of Information and Cyberspace. The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), intended to educate joint warfighters and other national security leaders in critical thinking and the creative application of military power to inform national strategy and globally integrated operations, under conditions of disruptive change, in order to prevail in war, peace, and competition.
In addition to her faculty role at NDU, Elena is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Master of Professional Studies in Applied Intelligence program, as well as, the Executive Director of Wild Things Media. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Glocal, a technology company that she and David Taube cofounded.
Elena speaks English. Russian, Ukrainian, and some Hebrew. She resides in the Washington Metropolitan Area with her husband.
National Security
From 2018 to 2022, Elena served as a senior counterintelligence specialist at DoD's, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). DTRA enables the DoD and the U.S. Government to prepare for and combat weapons of mass destruction and improvised threats and to ensure nuclear deterrence. The agency’s legacy extends back to the Manhattan Engineering Project that was created to develop the world’s first atomic bomb during World War II.
Between 2015 and 2018, Elena served as a Senior Analyst and Subject Matter Expert at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) where she covered a variety of high level national security issues and helped lead intelligence integration and collaboration within the intelligence community. In 2017, Elena also served as a Regional Subject Matter Expert to the DoD, Department of the Army, focusing on geographic, economic, industry, political, security, and geopolitical issues in Eastern Europe.
Prior to her service at ODNI, Elena served at the U.S. Department of State (DoS), Global Engagement Center, and other U.S. agencies in the intelligence community. Her subject matter expertise include: intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, terrorism, cyber, leadership, political, security, military, religious, and economic issues in the Middle East, Africa, East Europe, Asia, and Europe, as well as, media, behavioral and organizational psychology, strategy, public relations, marketing, and communication.
Foreign Governments
Between 2006 and 2007, Elena provided political and media analysis, as well as, conducted public relations and strategic communication at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
Local Government & Politics
In 2009, Elena served as a Legislative Deputy Assistant to Councilman Greig Smith, who was succeeded by Councilman Mitchell Englander, at the Los Angeles City Hall, Council District 12, representing the San Fernando Valley. More specifically, Elena developed and maintained relationships between the district office and the diverse constituents in District 12. She also managed public relations with local, state and federal bodies, organizations, and the LA Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF)—a partnership between the FBI and other law enforcement agencies charged with countering terrorism.
Between 2004 and 2005, Elena worked for the Republican National Committee as a Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Fremont, CA. Then in 2007, she went on to serve as the Field Manager of California Region 3, for a Republican presidential candidate.
Education
Enthusiastically considering herself a lifelong learner, Elena is currently completing a Ph.D. in Strategic Communication from George Mason University. She had previously completed several Ph.D. courses in International Relations and American Government from Georgetown University, Department of Government.
Elena received an M.A. in Psychology from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business with a focus in communication, strategy and management. She had also received an M.A. in Politics with a focus in International Relations and American Government from New York University (NYU).
Additionally, Elena holds a Certificate in Intelligence Analysis from the Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis, which is a training school for CIA intelligence analysts, a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Marketing Management from Georgetown University, and a Graduate Certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies from the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute.
Elena had pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and UCLA where she graduated with honors and earned a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in International Relations and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies.
