Michael Leiter

Michael E. Leiter served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) until July 2011. He was sworn in as NCTC's second-ever director on June 12, 2008, upon his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and after serving as the acting director since November 2007. He was initially nominated to serve as director by President George W. Bush in March 2008, and continued under President Barack Obama in December 2009, serving in two administrations. As the director of NCTC, Leiter led the primary organization in the U.S. government for analysis and integration of all terrorism intelligence—both domestically and overseas. He played a key role in the U.S. Government's response to several high-stakes events, including an attempted terrorist attack on a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day 2009, the Fort Hood shooting, and a failed car bomb attack in Times Square. He was in the Situation Room during the mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.

In his capacity as NCTC's Director, Leiter led more than 1,000 personnel and managed an annual budget of more than $400 million. Additionally, he advised the Office of Management and Budget on the allocation of over $100 billion annually for government-wide counterterrorism activities. From February 2007 to November 2007, Leiter served as NCTC’s Principal Deputy Director. Before joining NCTC, he served in various roles, including as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the deputy general counsel for the President’s Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Robb-Silberman Commission). His contributions focused on intelligence community reforms, particularly the development of the National Security Branch of the FBI and the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.

Following his tenure at NCTC, Leiter continued his commitment to national security in the private sector. He served as the Head of Global Government & Commercial Cyber Operations at Palantir Technologies and is currently the Executive Vice President for Business Development and Strategy at Leidos Holdings. His expertise in national security extends to his media presence as a Counterterrorism and Cyber Analyst for NBC News, offering insights into leadership in crisis and the evolving challenges of global terrorism and cybersecurity. From 1991 until 1997, Leiter served as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy, participating in operations in the former Yugoslavia and Iraq, which further informs his perspective on military and security matters.

Leiter received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as president of the Harvard Law Review, and his B.A. from Columbia University. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Medal, the CIA Seal Medal, and the Air Medal with three Strike/Flight awards. His extensive experience and leadership during critical national security events make him a respected voice in the fields of counterterrorism and cybersecurity.