Denise Marsh joined the College of International Security Affairs in 2021 as the Department of State Chair, Associate Dean for Outreach, and faculty. Prior to the National Defense University, Ms. Marsh served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy to the Secretary’s Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. A Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ms. Marsh has served as Political Counselor at U.S. Embassy Ankara from 2017-2019. Her experience includes multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Provincial Reconstruction Teams. Ms. Marsh held policy coordination roles at the Departments of State and Defense: Director of the Office of the Middle East and Asia in State’s Energy and Resources Bureau; Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict; and Senior Congressional Advisor in State’s Legislative Affairs Bureau.
Ms. Marsh is a recipient of the Department of State’s Award for Heroism and the U.S. Forces-Iraq Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. She has a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in International Development from The George Washington University, and an M.M.S. from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College. A native Spanish speaker, she is also proficient in French and Turkish. Ms. Marsh is married to COL Adrian Marsh and they have a son, Lochlan.