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Frances Townsend

Frances Townsend

National Security Analyst, CBS News; Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism

Frances Townsend is a national security leader who has worked across party lines to address some of the world’s most complex and volatile security issues. With more than two decades of public service, including being the original first Assistant Commandant for Intelligence of the Coast Guard, Townsend has worked in law enforcement, intelligence, national security and homeland security; in both civilian and military organizations; in policy and operational jobs; and on domestic and international issues.

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Bio

Full Bio

As Chair of the Homeland Security Council and one of President George W. Bush’s top advisors, Townsend offers an informed viewpoint on the global issues facing the country. As national security analyst at CBS News, Townsend contributes to coverage of homeland security, foreign policy counter terrorism and intelligence and she also appears on the network’s digital streaming service, CBSN. Through her insights, gleaned from real-world experience, Townsend shares advice for businesses of all shapes and sizes by contending that companies’ view of their global risk must be expanded to properly mitigate their exposure in today’s environment. Townsend has specific steps that business leaders can adopt now so that their organizations can aggressively seek out their vulnerabilities and address those problems they present.

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Topics

Topics

Public Service and Volunteerism

Strategic Risk and Crisis Management: When Bad News Becomes Good News

Leading Change from Within an Organization

Videos

Videos


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Fran Townsend on Trump's foreign policy approach

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Former Homeland adviser Fran Townsend on threats to Capitol, law enforcement by conspiracy theori…

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It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

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