Brookings Institution Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Brookings Institution has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, human resources, information technology, and policy research.

Committed to rigorous nonpartisan analysis, Brookings Institution advances evidence-based solutions to complex societal challenges through multidisciplinary research that informs decision-making for policymakers and civic stakeholders across global, national, and local landscapes.

Leadership Roles at Brookings Institution

  • Chief Executive Officer - John Smith
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - Joseph Rooney
  • President - Strobe Talbott
  • Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Shawn Chernousov
  • Chief Information Officer, Emeritus - Jane Fishkin
  • Foreign Policy Chief of Staff - Andrew Moffatt
  • Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Ankur Bhatt
  • Deputy Chief of Staff & Office Executive - Elizabeth Stanley
  • Development Chief of Staff - Sarah Savoy
  • Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer - April Lueben
  • John Smith - Chief Executive Officer

    John Smith, the Chief Executive Officer at Brookings Institution, directs the overarching strategic vision for this nonprofit public policy research organization. Smith architects the long-term research agenda, ensuring that empirical investigations into economics, governance, and international affairs remain relevant to contemporary societal challenges. By fostering collaboration between scholars and practitioners, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the institutional commitment to nonpartisan, evidence-based analysis. This leadership role involves engaging with corporate executives and government officials to translate complex academic inquiry into actionable policy recommendations. John Smith oversees the alignment of organizational resources with the mission of addressing interconnected global and domestic policy issues. Through consistent focus on high-impact research, the Chief Executive Officer drives the institution toward greater influence in the public sphere. Smith secures the necessary support to sustain rigorous, in-depth analysis that transcends ideological boundaries, ultimately shaping the future of public policy discourse.

    Joseph Rooney - Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    Joseph Rooney, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Brookings Institution, manages the daily operational infrastructure required to support extensive public policy research. Rooney optimizes internal processes to ensure that scholars and practitioners possess the resources necessary for producing comprehensive reports and policy briefs. Overseeing administrative functions, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization maintains its capacity for rigorous empirical investigation across multiple domains. This role involves coordinating with the Board and other C-suite leaders to streamline workflows and enhance institutional efficiency. Joseph Rooney drives the operational strategy that supports the dissemination of thought leadership to civic stakeholders and the broader public. By managing the logistical complexities of a large-scale research entity, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer enables the institution to address pressing societal challenges effectively. Rooney ensures that operational excellence remains a cornerstone of the research mission.
    Joseph Rooney

    Strobe Talbott - President

    Strobe Talbott, the President at Brookings Institution, provides the overarching intellectual leadership that guides the organization's research into international affairs and global governance. Talbott directs the institution's engagement with global leaders, ensuring that the research produced remains at the forefront of international policy discourse. By synthesizing complex geopolitical data, the President shapes the institution's perspective on interconnected global systems and their impact on domestic policy. This role involves representing the organization in high-level forums and conferences, where the President advocates for evidence-based, nonpartisan solutions to complex societal challenges. Strobe Talbott oversees the strategic direction of the research programs, ensuring that the institution continues to produce thought leadership that informs decision-making at the highest levels of government. Through a commitment to rigorous empirical investigation, the President maintains the institution's reputation as a premier source of actionable policy insights. Talbott drives the organization's influence in the global policy landscape.

    Shawn Chernousov - Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Shawn Chernousov, the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Brookings Institution, architects the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies essential for maintaining a world-class research environment. Chernousov directs initiatives focused on recruiting top-tier scholars and subject matter experts who contribute to the institution's multidisciplinary approach. By fostering a culture of intellectual rigor and professional growth, the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains capable of addressing complex economic and social policy issues. This leadership role involves designing performance management systems that align individual contributions with the broader mission of producing actionable policy insights. Shawn Chernousov oversees the implementation of inclusive workplace policies that support a diverse team of researchers and practitioners. Through strategic workforce planning, the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the institutional capacity to deliver high-quality, nonpartisan analysis that informs decision-making at local, national, and global scales.

    Jane Fishkin - Chief Information Officer, Emeritus

    Jane Fishkin, the Chief Information Officer, Emeritus at Brookings Institution, provides strategic guidance on the technological frameworks that support large-scale data analysis and research dissemination. Fishkin advises on the modernization of digital infrastructure, ensuring that the institution effectively synthesizes complex data into accessible recommendations for policymakers. By evaluating emerging technologies, the Chief Information Officer, Emeritus helps maintain the integrity and security of the research data that informs the organization's policy briefs. This role involves collaborating with research teams to optimize the digital tools used for empirical investigation and thought leadership publication. Jane Fishkin supports the transition toward more robust data management systems that facilitate cross-disciplinary cooperation. Through this advisory capacity, the Chief Information Officer, Emeritus ensures that the institution remains at the forefront of digital research capabilities. Fishkin contributes to the long-term technological vision that enables the organization to address pressing societal challenges with precision and speed.

    Andrew Moffatt - Foreign Policy Chief of Staff

    Andrew Moffatt, the Foreign Policy Chief of Staff at Brookings Institution, coordinates the research activities and strategic outreach for the international affairs division. Moffatt manages the flow of information between scholars and external stakeholders, ensuring that analysis regarding global governance and international relations reaches key decision-makers. By overseeing the daily operations of the foreign policy team, the Foreign Policy Chief of Staff facilitates the production of timely reports that address interconnected global systems. This role involves aligning research priorities with the institution's broader mission of providing evidence-based perspectives on international challenges. Andrew Moffatt supports the development of conferences and direct consultations that connect experts with government officials and corporate leaders. Through meticulous project management, the Foreign Policy Chief of Staff ensures that the research output remains both rigorous and actionable. Moffatt drives the operational success of the international affairs program, enabling the institution to influence global policy discourse effectively.

    Ankur Bhatt - Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Ankur Bhatt, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Brookings Institution, directs the development and implementation of advanced digital platforms that support the organization's research mission. Bhatt architects scalable cloud infrastructure and data analytics tools that allow scholars to process complex information efficiently. By overseeing the technological roadmap, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the institution can effectively publish and distribute thought leadership to a global audience. This role involves integrating secure data systems that protect the integrity of empirical investigations while enabling seamless collaboration across research domains. Ankur Bhatt drives innovation in how the institution presents evidence-based perspectives to policymakers and the public. Through the deployment of cutting-edge software and hardware solutions, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer enhances the overall impact of the research output. Bhatt ensures that technology serves as a primary catalyst for the institution's goal of addressing complex societal challenges.
    Ankur Bhatt

    Elizabeth Stanley - Deputy Chief of Staff & Office Executive

    Elizabeth Stanley, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Office Executive at Brookings Institution, manages the administrative coordination and executive support functions that enable the leadership team to execute the organizational mission. Stanley oversees the integration of cross-departmental initiatives, ensuring that research programs align with the strategic goals set by the executive office. By facilitating communication between various divisions, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Office Executive maintains the operational rhythm necessary for producing high-quality policy briefs and reports. This role involves managing complex scheduling, stakeholder engagement, and internal project tracking to support the institution's nonpartisan research agenda. Elizabeth Stanley drives the efficiency of the executive office, allowing for rapid response to emerging policy issues. Through careful oversight of office operations, the Deputy Chief of Staff & Office Executive ensures that the institution remains focused on its core objective of generating actionable insights for civic stakeholders and business leaders.

    Sarah Savoy - Development Chief of Staff

    Sarah Savoy, the Development Chief of Staff at Brookings Institution, directs the operational strategy for fundraising and donor relations that sustains the organization's research activities. Savoy coordinates the efforts of the development team to secure the financial resources necessary for conducting in-depth, nonpartisan policy research. By managing the pipeline of philanthropic support, the Development Chief of Staff ensures that the institution maintains its independence and commitment to evidence-based analysis. This role involves aligning donor interests with the organization's multidisciplinary research domains, including economics and social policy. Sarah Savoy oversees the execution of high-level engagement strategies that connect the institution with civic stakeholders and corporate partners. Through rigorous project management of development initiatives, the Development Chief of Staff supports the long-term financial stability of the research programs. Savoy ensures that the institution possesses the capital required to address complex societal challenges through its comprehensive reports and thought leadership.

    April Lueben - Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer

    April Lueben, the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at Brookings Institution, manages the implementation of employee engagement and professional development programs that support the research staff. Lueben oversees the daily administration of human resources policies, ensuring that the institution attracts and retains the subject matter experts required for rigorous policy analysis. By focusing on internal culture and staff well-being, the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer fosters an environment conducive to deep academic inquiry and practical problem-solving. This role involves collaborating with the Chief Human Resources Officer to refine recruitment strategies and performance evaluation frameworks. April Lueben drives initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, which are essential for maintaining the institution's multidisciplinary perspective. Through the management of personnel operations, the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the mission of providing actionable insights to policymakers. Lueben supports the organizational structure that enables the institution to address complex societal challenges.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Brookings Institution Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Brookings Institution?
    Brookings Institution is led by John Smith (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Joseph Rooney (Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer) and Strobe Talbott (President).
    Who is part of Brookings Institution’s executive team?
    The executive team of Brookings Institution includes leaders such as John Smith (Chief Executive Officer), Joseph Rooney (Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer), Strobe Talbott (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Brookings Institution have?
    Brookings Institution has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Brookings Institution’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Brookings Institution includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, President, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Information Officer, Emeritus.