Leo Danaher
Leo Danaher is an active duty officer in the United States Coast Guard with over 20 years of service, including deployments to the Persian Gulf and South America.
He recently completed an assignment as the White House Executive Director for Drug Interdiction Policy where he oversaw the development and promulgation of the 2024 National Drug Control Strategy. Leo currently serves at Coast Guard Headquarters as a senior program manager for the Coast Guard's boat forces capability including its flood response program. He earned an Executive Master of Professional Studies in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies in 2019.
He has extensive experience and leadership in maritime security, homeland defense, and emergency management. Prior to serving at the White House, Leo was the Commanding Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu, a rapid deployable boat and law enforcement unit. MSST Honolulu operates throughout the Pacific with domestic and international partners. He also served as the Command Center Chief of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans during Hurricane Harvey and Irma, coordinating the rescue of more than 11,000 lives and mitigated damage to millions of dollars in property.
Leo has been an Adjunct Lecturer in the Emergency and Disaster Management master's degree program at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies since August 2023.