Ambassador Julianne Smith
Former US Ambassador to NATO (2021-2024)
Ambassador Julianne Smith
Former US Ambassador to NATO (2021-2024)
Biography
Ambassador Julianne Smith is a distinguished national security expert with over two decades of experience in U.S. and European defense policy, transatlantic relations and geostrategic risk. She has held senior leadership positions at the White House, the Department of Defense and the Department of State, where she has shaped NATO’s response to the Ukraine war, advanced U.S.-European economic and military partnerships and addressed global security challenges stemming from China, North Korea, Iran and Russia. Most recently, Smith co-founded Clarion Strategies with former U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, creating a strategic advisory firm focused on defense, geopolitics, and global risk. The firm provides clients with guidance on market entry, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and navigating complex international landscapes.
Smith served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO from 2021–2024, where she played a pivotal role in securing Allied support for Ukraine, coordinating intelligence sharing with Allies and finalizing Finland and Sweden’s accession to the Alliance. She also led efforts to integrate China into NATO’s Strategic Concept.
During the Obama administration, Smith served as Acting National Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor to Vice President Joseph Biden. Prior to that role, she served as the Principal Director for European and NATO Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Her career spans influential roles at think tanks such as the German Marshall Fund, the Center for a New American Security and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where she published extensively on grand strategy, Russia, counter-terrorism and China’s deepening relationships in Europe.
Smith has been honored with multiple awards, including the Order of the Polar Star of Sweden, the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award, the Sue M. Cobb Award for Diplomatic Excellence and the Cross of the Order of Merit of Germany. Fluent in French and German, she has conducted extensive research in Europe, including fellowships at the Robert Bosch Academy and the American Academy in Berlin.
Speaker Videos
“Immense Sense of Pride and Accomplishment” – Ambassador Julianne Smith on her historic NATO tenure
Julianne Smith's Hot Takes on Historic Decision Making, Representing the US, and Meeting the Moment
Preserving Peace and Stability
Speech Topics
What’s Ahead: NATO, US-Europe Relations & the Impact on Global Business
For businesses operating in an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the future of transatlantic relations is paramount. The dynamics of the NATO alliance, particularly the evolving relationship between the U.S. and its European allies, have significant implications for global trade, investment and security. No one knows better than former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Julianne Smith. In this informative and timely keynote, Ambassador Smith reflects on her tenure as the U.S. permanent representative to the world's most important alliance during the war in Ukraine and shares her perspective on America’s future relationship with NATO at a time when the Trump Administration is openly questioning its value. Ambassador Smith reflects on the security challenges that are a top priority for NATO and offers insight into the alliance's response to new emerging threats, defense spending and its policies toward Russia. As one of the most influential voices in international diplomacy, Ambassador Smith will share lessons learned and predictions on where the transatlantic relationship is headed.
Audiences will learn:
- The emerging security threats facing the transatlantic community and how these may impact your business operations, supply chains and market access.
- How and why Europeans are spending much more on defense and how that may affect Europe’s relationship with the United States.
- The future trajectory of NATO and transatlantic relations so you can make informed strategic decisions regarding international partnerships, investment strategies and risk mitigation.
- The differences in approach between previous and current U.S. administrations and what this means for businesses.
Navigating the New World Order: Geopolitics, Economics & Your Business
In a world of rapid and sudden geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty, understanding the global landscape is critical for business success. Join Julianne Smith, former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, as she unpacks the key trends shaping our world today. From evolving security challenges to the intricacies of international trade, she'll provide actionable insights on how these forces are impacting businesses and what strategies are essential for navigating the future.
Why Alliances Matter in Business: Lessons from the Global Stage
In today’s interconnected economy, no leader—or company—can thrive in isolation. Drawing on her experience as U.S. Ambassador to NATO and a career spent navigating complex international partnerships, Julianne Smith reveals why the same principles that sustain global alliances also define successful organizations. Through stories from the frontlines of diplomacy, she explores how trust, shared purpose, and resilience create the foundation for lasting success—whether among nations or within teams. Audiences will gain insight into how strategic alliances drive innovation, adaptability, and growth, and how fostering collaboration across sectors, cultures, and industries can turn competition into collective advantage. In a time when uncertainty is the norm, Smith shows that alliances—built on mutual respect and vision—remain the most powerful force for stability and progress in business and beyond.
Redefining Women in Leadership
Whenever Julianne Smith, former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, is asked how to navigate a career as a woman in national security, she says to “work hard, dream big and be true to yourself.” But there is so much more. In this talk, Julianne shares her own journey of navigating a career in national security, where the majority of people in the room were predominately male. She’ll discuss some of the unique challenges women experience in the workplace and how to overcome them. Through her inspiring words, Julianne will empower attendees to embrace their roles as change-makers, sparking a collective commitment to reshape the narrative of women in leadership and create a more equitable future for all. Participants will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, actionable insights and the courage to forge ahead in their journeys.
A Call to Serve: A Guide to Public Service Careers
Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Julianne Smith, is a passionate advocate for public service, and she wants to inspire the next generation to consider a career in serving their country, too. In this inspiring talk, Ambassador Smith shares the nuts and bolts of public service and the endless opportunities that abound for those who not only want to serve their country but also experience an incredibly rewarding career path. Get ready to be inspired and motivated to pursue a profession that enables you to serve your country and shape the future for generations to come.
You’ll learn:
- What it’s like to be a public servant and work for the government.
- Why Ambassador Smith chose a career in public service.
- The difference between working in the U.S. versus overseas.
- What it is like to be an Ambassador in a foreign country.
Testimonials
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