Mark R. Kennedy

From the halls of Congress to the presidency of two public research universities—and now as Director of the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center—Mark Kennedy has spent his career at the intersection of policy, education, and national strategy.

A first-generation college graduate and former business executive, Kennedy brings a rare blend of experience across sectors. His work is grounded in a conviction that America’s prosperity and security depend on cultivating talent, advancing innovation, and strengthening the nation’s ability to compete in a rapidly evolving world.

Whether shaping AI policy, expanding access to higher education, or forging global partnerships, Kennedy’s leadership is defined by one throughline: a calling to serve.

Kennedy leads initiatives that shape U.S. leadership in four key arenas:

He brings a cross-disciplinary lens to today’s most pressing challenges—grounded in institutional leadership and informed by lived public service.

Visiting China's National People's Congress in Beijing with students from George Washington University.

Though his current focus is global strategy, Kennedy’s legacy as a university president, policymaker, and bridge-builder continues to guide his work. As he often says, “I’ve never led from the left or the right. I’ve led from the mission.”

Explore the ideas, institutions, and issues that continue to shape his journey.

From Congress to the classroom, from the boardroom to the Wilson Center, Mark Kennedy’s career has been defined by a calling to serve—and a drive to strengthen America’s competitiveness at home and abroad.

Mark Kennedy is a public servant, strategist, and academic leader with a rare blend of experience across higher education, government, and business. A first-generation college graduate and former U.S. Congressman, he has led two public research universities and currently directs the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center, where he advances U.S. leadership in technology, economics, diplomacy, and defense. He has been recognized as a bold, mission-focused leader who builds trust across disciplines and divides to solve complex national and institutional challenges.