Sue Ramanathan is a nonresident senior fellow with the Forward Defense practice at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. She has served as a trusted adviser to principals in the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Senate, and House of Representatives for over twenty years. Currently, Ramanathan is a strategic advisor and management consultant for public sector clients.

Previously, on the Hill, she served in a number of roles—as the director of homeland security policy and a senior advisor for technology and innovation for the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the chief counsel and deputy staff director of the US House Committee on Homeland Security, and as counsel and subcommittee coordinator for the US House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

During the Obama administration, Ramanathan served as the deputy assistant secretary for the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and as a counselor to the secretary. In her legislative role, she was the primary adviser to the secretary, deputy secretary, and senior officials on legislative issues and strategies. Ramanathan participated in the department’s response to national security threats/incidents and natural disasters. During the first major turnover of political appointees, she was responsible for managing the confirmation process for all administration nominees to DHS positions. As a counselor to the secretary and deputy secretary, Ramanathan participated in the response to national-security incidents, threats, and natural disasters. 

Ramanathan has had the privilege of twice serving on the DHS Agency Review Team for presidential transitions. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, holds a master of laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center, a juris doctor from Rutgers Law School, and a bachelor of arts from Rutgers College. She earned a certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University.