Rose’s Story

Written July 18 2024

Est. 3 minute read

Rose is a Christian and an expert in international relations and was chief negotiator for the US-Russian New START treaty. She is tackling nuclear war and policy.

She is a CFI advisor and podcast guest (episode here).

My Background  

I would describe myself as a child of the Midwest. My childhood was spent in Columbus, Ohio, and Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Following university, I have spent the majority of my time in Washington, with shorter-term work trips to London, Moscow, and Brussels.

My Academic Background 

At Georgetown University, I secured an undergraduate degree in Russian Language and Literature. I initially envisioned working as a UN Conference Interpreter but realized that native speakers had a competitive edge in this field. Open to alternative paths, I also secured a Master’s degree (M.A.) from Georgetown University in Science, Technology and Public Policy.

My First Job 

At the think tank RAND Corporation, I worked as a social scientist. Under the influence of Thomas Wolfe, who was working on Soviet nuclear forces, I became interested in nuclear policy. This interest was also informed by my experiences of nuclear war drills as a young child.

My Journey to NATO

  • 1993-94: Following my time at the RAND Corporation, I had sufficient expertise to work on the National Security Council for President Clinton’s government. I was the Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.

  • 1994-1997: I served as Deputy Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

  • 1997-2000: I worked in the Department of Energy within the branch of Defence Nuclear Non-proliferation.

  • 2000-2008: I focused on U.S.-Russian relations and nuclear stability at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

  • 2009-2016: I held the position of Under Secretary of State and was chief negotiator of the NEW START treaty. As an arms reduction treaty, this was a major breakthrough in nuclear stability between Russia and the US.

  • 2016-2019: I made history as the first female Deputy Secretary General of NATO. Within my role, I focused on counterterrorism and strategies to address emerging security challenges in Europe.

I am currently a Lecturer at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution. I am responsible for teaching and mentoring students, as well as contributing to policy research and outreach activities.

My Advice to Young Christians 

“I would say just do it.” Speaking to others considering a similar career path, I advocate for “learning by doing.” My journey shows that there is no specific route, and I speak of the value of work placements to gain experience. To “just do it” is a strong call to take action!

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Do you have any career uncertainties? Click here to read our article on three big career uncertainties you can trust God with.