Kelly E. Magsamen is an American foreign policy and national security advisor who served as the chief of staff to the United States Secretary of Defense in the Biden administration.

She was previously the vice president for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress.

She later served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, where she managed strategy related to Asia and the South China Sea.

[3][4][5] During the Obama administration, Magsamen worked as a staffer on the United States National Security Council.

[7][8] She has written op-ed columns on national security issues for Defense One, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, The Hill, and others.