Cambridge Global Advisors Strengthens Foreign Affairs Expertise with Four Senior Appointments

Cambridge Global Advisors (CGA), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with over a decade of experience in homeland and national security initiatives, has announced the addition of four distinguished Senior Advisors to its foreign affairs team. The new appointments significantly enhance the firm's capabilities in diplomacy, security, development, and regional strategy, bringing nearly 200 years of combined experience to address increasingly complex global affairs.

The expansion includes Gentry Smith, former Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security at the U.S. Department of State and former Director of the Office of Foreign Missions. Smith brings extensive leadership experience in safeguarding U.S. diplomatic operations worldwide, with key postings in Egypt, Myanmar, and Japan. His expertise strengthens CGA's ability to advise clients on diplomatic security challenges in volatile regions.

Sepideh Keyvanshad joins as another key addition, having served as USAID Acting Chief Human Capital Officer and Mission Director in Nepal, with additional experience as Deputy Mission Director in Afghanistan. Keyvanshad's background in international development, stabilization, and governance in complex environments provides CGA with critical insights for development projects in challenging operational contexts.

Scott Worden, former Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asia Program at USIP, brings deep expertise in conflict resolution, governance, and the rule of law. His prior senior roles at SIGAR and USAID enhance CGA's capacity to address governance challenges and conflict resolution strategies for clients operating in politically sensitive regions.

Brian Harding rounds out the new appointments with his experience as Country Director for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and former Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS. Harding's expertise in Asian regional dynamics and engagement strategies complements CGA's existing Indo-Pacific capabilities.

CGA CEO Jake Braun emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating that these leaders add tremendous depth to the foreign affairs bench. Their combined diplomatic, security, and development experience strengthens the firm's ability to support clients across the globe facing increasingly complex international challenges.

This announcement follows CGA's earlier expansion of Indo-Pacific expertise when Frank Aum, Tamanna Salikuddin, and Andrew Scobell joined as Senior Advisors. The latest appointments further solidify CGA's position as a comprehensive advisory firm for foreign affairs challenges, particularly in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

Doug Lute, Chairman of CGA and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, noted that the growing bench reflects today's complex global environment and equips clients to anticipate and respond effectively to emerging international challenges. The expanded team positions CGA to provide more comprehensive guidance on issues ranging from diplomatic security to regional strategy development.

The enhanced foreign affairs capabilities come at a critical time when organizations increasingly require trusted advisors with international expertise, policy insight, and operational experience to navigate constantly shifting global landscapes. CGA's strengthened team can be accessed through their website at https://www.cambridgeglobaladvisors.com.