Valerie directs Third Way's National Security Program, working to provide Members of Congress cutting edge policy ideas to keep our country safe and strong national security messaging that is tough - but also smart. Valerie served as the Chief National Security Counsel to the House Oversight and Reform Committee for Chairman Elijah E. Cummings. She oversaw all national security and homeland security matters from domestic terrorism and federal law enforcement, to counterintelligence, defense, and overseas security. Valerie was also an investigative counsel for the Select Committee on Benghazi and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Valerie is certainly no stranger to hot button topics and controversies. During her eight years as a Hill staffer, Valerie was fighting to defend the truth in some of the most high-stakes and politically fraught investigations, including Hunter Biden and Ukraine, the so-called "deep state" conspiracy, the FBI's investigation into Secretary Clinton's emails, and ATF's Operation "Fast and Furious."

Valerie earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her bachelor's degree in Politics from Pomona College. Valerie was a math and science nerd growing up in the MD suburbs before she decided to disappoint her parents by pursuing a career in public service and policy. She also spends her days trying to keep up with her rescue pandemic puppy.

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Report
Published October 23, 2024

Clash of the Tech Titans

Photo of Valerie Shen
Senior Visiting Fellow
Report
Published July 17, 2024

Competing Values Will Shape US-China AI Race

Photo of Valerie Shen
Senior Visiting Fellow
Photo of Jim Kessler
Executive Vice President for Policy
One-Pager
Published January 11, 2023

Behind the Curtain: What Protests?

Photo of Valerie Shen
Senior Visiting Fellow
Photo of Jessica Greely
National Security Fellow, 2022-2023
Memo
Published June 8, 2022

Introducing Third Way’s US-China Digital World Order Initiative

Photo of Valerie Shen
Senior Visiting Fellow
Photo of Jayson Browder
Former Visiting Fellow
Graphic
Published June 7, 2022

Chinese Surveillance Devices: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

Photo of Jayson Browder
Former Visiting Fellow
Photo of Mike Sexton
Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology
Photo of Valerie Shen
Senior Visiting Fellow

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Deputy Director for Nuclear
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Senior Visiting Fellow
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Senior Grants Accountant
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Director, Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunity
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Deputy Director of Communications for the Climate & Energy Program
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Office and Facilities Associate
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Executive Vice President for Public Affairs

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