Brett Holmgren

About Brett Holmgren

Innovative, experienced risk management, national security, technology and cybersecurity executive with a proven record of driving transformational change in large public and private sector organizations. As a former acting Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), and interim Chief Technology Risk Officer at Capital One Financial, I have spearheaded and implemented enterprise risk management frameworks and programs, led digital transformations, strengthened cybersecurity compliance, established new technology risk management programs, recruited and built highly performing teams, and modernized business operations to drive efficiencies and improve organizational outcomes. I began my career in public service in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, joining the U.S. Intelligence Community as a counterterrorism analyst. After eight years as an analyst, I went on to serve on the National Security Council (NSC) staff at the White House as a Director for Counterterrorism, Chief of Staff to the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor, and finally as NSC Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs. I also served at the Pentagon as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, overseeing the special operations, intelligence, cyber and technology portfolios for the Deputy. At Capital One, I helped establish, grow and lead the company\'s independent technology and cyber risk management function.Throughout my career, I have prioritized serving the community by volunteering on various boards and organizations, including as a member of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Political Science Department’s Board of Visitors, as a board member for One World Education, and as a volunteer for the District of Columbia’s Emergency Response Team during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experience

1. Managing Vice President

   Capital One

   Jul 2025 — Present · Tysons Corner, VA, US

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science and Journalism

  2003

• The Johns Hopkins University

  Master of Arts - MA, Global Security Studies

  2010