Cambridge Global Advisors Expands 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 bring nearly 200 years of combined experience across diplomacy, security, development, and regional strategy, significantly enhancing the firm's capacity to assist clients in navigating increasingly complex global landscapes.

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 in diplomatic security strengthens CGA's ability to address international operational challenges.

Sepideh Keyvanshad joins as another key addition, having served as former USAID Acting Chief Human Capital Officer and former Mission Director in Nepal. Her background includes serving as Deputy Mission Director in Afghanistan, providing her with substantial experience in international development, stabilization, and governance in complex environments. This expertise is particularly valuable for organizations operating in challenging international contexts.

The firm has also added Scott Worden, former Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asia Program at USIP, who brings deep expertise in conflict resolution, governance, and the rule of law. Worden's prior senior roles at SIGAR and USAID contribute to CGA's growing capabilities in addressing international conflict and development challenges. Brian Harding completes the new appointments, bringing expertise in Asian regional dynamics from his previous role as Country Director for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as former Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS.

Jake Braun, CGA CEO, 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 organization's ability to support clients across the globe. This announcement follows CGA's earlier expansion of Indo-Pacific expertise when Frank Aum, Tamanna Salikuddin, and Andrew Scobell joined as Senior Advisors, bringing decades of experience in diplomacy, security, and strategic analysis.

Doug Lute, Chairman of CGA and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, noted that with these four new advisors, CGA now possesses one of the most comprehensive teams advising on foreign affairs challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The growing bench reflects today's complex global environment and equips clients to anticipate and respond effectively to international developments. The expansion comes at a time when organizations increasingly require trusted advisors with international expertise, policy insight, and operational experience to navigate constantly shifting global landscapes.