Jorhena Thomas
Jorhena Thomas has dedicated her career to finding meaningful ways to improve, enhance, and transform security efforts at all levels.
She has extensive experience in intelligence analysis and investigations, homeland security, emergency management exercises, critical infrastructure protection, strategic communication, and inter-organizational liaison at the international, national, and local levels. She has a particular interest in the study of disinformation and the integration of intelligence analysis principles into security work. Her background spans government, the private sector, and academia.
Jorhena started her security career as an Intelligence Analyst and Program Manager for the FBI, where she worked international terrorism and criminal matters, as well as oversaw the FBI’s intelligence program in the Western Hemisphere. She went on to serve in a range of security-related positions, to include Deputy Director/Operations Manager at the Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center (the District of Columbia's intelligence fusion center), Chief of Staff to the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, Senior Risk Consultant with The Gate 15 Company, and Regional Security Manager for the Americas with CARE USA. She is currently the Director of Professional Advancement with Girl Security, an organization focused on bringing more women and gender minorities into the national security space.
Jorhena has also worked closely with the National Council of ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers) and has served as the Vice-President of the Washington DC Area Chapter of the International Association for Intelligence Education. In addition to having been a faculty member in the Crime, Justice, and Security Studies program at the University of the District of Columbia, she occasionally instructs courses with the American University School of International Service and School of Public Affairs. She is currently an award-winning faculty member in the Applied Intelligence Program at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and also writes, speaks, and consults on a range of security and intelligence matters throughout the US and abroad.