Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe is a nonresident senior fellow with the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Benincasa Thorpe is currently managing partner of Resiqor Advisors LLC, where she partners with Fortune 500 boards, national networks, and international coalitions to embed resilience into critical infrastructure. There, she transforms complex risk assessments and emerging threat intelligence into dynamic, scalable frameworks that accelerate incident response, fortify supply chains, and optimize continuity, turning essential systems into engines of innovation and competitive advantage.

As undersecretary of homeland security for Massachusetts, she led the development of the state’s first Homeland Security Strategy Plan, establishing new standards for accountability, resource allocation, and emergency response. She authored the Massachusetts Mass Casualty Incident Plan, coordinating first responder agencies during critical events like the Boston Marathon bombing.

Benincasa Thorpe also spearheaded the statewide COVID-19 Response Plan, mobilizing 151 agencies, establishing testing sites, and directing the distribution of personal protective equipment to protect frontline responders and vulnerable populations. Additionally, she oversaw the creation of Massachusetts’ first Cyber Security Incident Response Plan and team, enhancing the state’s resilience to cyber threats and enabling swift, coordinated responses.

Benincasa Thorpe was previously the director of the National Security and Resiliency Division at Nixon Peabody, where she guided global clients in developing resilient security strategies and risk mitigation practices. She was the lead advocate for the DHS Science and Technology Safety Act, which advances security technology while providing liability protection. She served as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, collaborating closely to tackle complex security challenges and bolster client preparedness, instilling resiliency through strategic foresight and innovation.