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Bruce McConnell is the Executive Vice President of the EastWest Institute. He leads and manages all of the Institute’s work to reduce and mitigate security conflict among nations, working with government and corporate policymakers in China, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, South Asia, and the United States. Prior to becoming EVP, McConnell led EWI’s Global Cooperation in Cyberspace program, working with governments and companies to increase the safety, security, and stability of life in cyberspace. In January 2016, he opened EWI’s San Francisco center, reflecting the institute’s increasing emphasis on addressing security risks from emerging technology and on the Asia-Pacific region.

Beginning in 2009, McConnell was a leader of the cybersecurity mission at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He became Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity in 2013, and responsible for ensuring the cybersecurity of all federal civilian agencies and for helping the owners and operators of the most critical U.S. infrastructure protect themselves from growing cyber threats. During his tenure, McConnell was instrumental in building the national and international credibility of DHS as a trustworthy partner that relies on transparency and collaboration to protect privacy and enhance security.

Before DHS, McConnell served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team, working on open government and technology issues. From 2000-2008, he created, built, and sold McConnell International and Government Futures, consultancies that provided strategic and tactical advice to clients in technology, business and government markets. From 2005-2008, he served on the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency.

From 1999-2000, McConnell was Director of the International Y2K Cooperation Center, sponsored by the United Nations and the World Bank, where he coordinated regional and global preparations of governments and critical private sector organizations to successfully defeat the Y2K bug.

From 1985-1999, McConnell served with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, initially as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and becoming its Chief of Information and Technology Policy in 1995.

He graduated from Stanford University (1971) with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering and from the University of Washington (1985) with a Masters of Public Administration.