Natasha Lander Finch

Adjunct Senior Fellow, Defense Program

Press: comms@cnas.org

Natasha Lander Finch is an independent consultant specializing in policy research and analysis. As a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, she leads international research studies for the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

Natasha spent a decade as a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation, where she led multidisciplinary teams in conducting research on a broad range of topics, including chemical, biological, and nuclear policy; counterterrorism; European security; and military and civilian workforce policy. She has also served as an advisor within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. In this capacity, she aided the development of guidance influencing diplomatic, operational, and technical aspects of the international mission to remove and destroy Syria’s declared chemical weapons. During her assignment at the Pentagon, Natasha also led U.S. defense cooperation on countering weapons of mass destruction proliferation at NATO. For her efforts, Natasha was twice awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. 

Prior to joining RAND, Natasha was a senior analyst and deputy program manager at BAE Systems, where she authored numerous reports for U.S. government policymakers while managing teams of analysts. 

Natasha holds a Master of Science degree in psychology and the neuroscience of mental health with distinction from King’s College London, a Master of Public Policy degree from George Mason University, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a dual major in political science from Bowling Green State University. Her analysis has been published in New Atlanticist, The Cipher Brief, The National Interest, Real Clear Defense, and  U.S. News & World Report.

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