Marla B. Keenan

Marla B. Keenan is an expert in human security, protection of civilians, civilian harm mitigation, and civil-military relations in armed conflict. She is an adjunct senior fellow at the Stimson Center, an international security fellow at New America, and a national security fellow at the Truman National Security Project.

Marla was senior director of policy and advocacy and previously senior director of programs at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), a Washington, DC-based NGO working on armed conflict and the protection of civilians. She led the design, management, and successful implementation of outcome-focused field programs in active conflict zones. Marla has conducted high-level advocacy with international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, and NATO. She has worked on conflict and crisis in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Mali, Israel, Jordan, Nepal, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, Yemen, and the Central African Republic.

Before joining CIVIC, Marla was an Edward Rawson Fellow in Communications at Citizens for Global Solutions, working in US global engagement. Marla regularly researched and wrote articles and papers on various topics from the International Criminal Court to Avian Influenza. She began her career as a management consultant working with for-profit companies on financial budgeting and forecasting, communications, and marketing.

Marla holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management with a double concentration in policy analysis and international policy from the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of Arizona. She resides in Austin, TX, with her partner and daughter.