Denise E. Zheng Promoted to Director of the CSIS Technology Policy Program

WASHINGTON, February 9, 2017: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is pleased to announce that Denise E. Zheng will serve as the new director of the CSIS Technology Policy Program (formerly the Strategic Technologies Program).


With Ms. Zheng as the director, the CSIS Technology Policy Program will continue its distinctive work on cyber and international security issues and expand into new research areas related to emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles, and the future of privacy and security on the Internet.

Denise E. Zheng joined CSIS in 2014 as a senior fellow and deputy director of the Strategic Technologies Program where her work focuses on cyber and emerging technology issues. Ms. Zheng brings a unique blend of expertise, including advanced technology research and development, legislative and policy strategy, and private sector experience. Prior to CSIS, she served as chief of staff and lead science and engineering technical adviser for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) foundational cyber warfare program, Plan X.

Before DARPA, Ms. Zheng was director for global government relations and cybersecurity policy at CA Technologies and a member of the Information Technology (IT) Sector Coordinating Council, IT Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and SAFECode. She also served as a professional staff member for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In that role, she was a principal in drafting and negotiations for comprehensive cybersecurity legislation and conducted oversight of critical infrastructure protection programs, spectrum auctions, privacy, and federal IT programs.

“Denise Zheng is a remarkable talent, intellectually on the cutting edge of some of America’s most important policy questions,” said Dr. John J. Hamre, CSIS president and CEO. “We are delighted to have her lead our Technology Policy Program at CSIS.”

“With the promotion of Denise, CSIS has created an outstanding technology policy team,” said Dr. James A. Lewis, now senior vice president in the Technology Policy Program at CSIS. “As the new administration begins its work, CSIS will be ready with Denise’s new leadership role to weigh in on key technology questions.”