Matthew Petit

Coauthored 2026 AI Commission Report chapter on AI and Geopolitics and contributed to social buy-in portions of the report. Coauthored article on equitable space partnerships in Africa.

Launched a net-new business vertical, securing $4.5M in ARR and salvaging a $3.5M contract through strategic relationship management. Architected a $3M defense economics pilot across three Combatant Commands and managed the capture and onboarding of NVIDIA as the company's first B2B client.

Managed team of 12 foreign policy professionals to counter terrorism/global security threats across five continents. Spearheaded CT policy-making for West Africa, producing $50M in new security programs and saving $100M in congressional notifications.

Led fast-paced, cross-functional national security policy for the Sahel. Designed and executed counter-Russia strategy in Africa, including a dozen State and OFAC sanctions designations.

Directed the work of four Sudan Desk Officers and rightsized U.S. communication and activist outreach following coup. Predicted and warned against conflict between security services and served three times as Special Assistant to Department leadership.

Developed relationships with hundreds of Iranian and Armenian contacts and wrote hundreds of research cables and papers on Iranian trade, politics, econ, cybersecurity, aviation, human rights, and terrorism. Drove thought leadership on Iran sanctions policy, particularly on aviation-related targets.

Managed workflow for team of 11, including grants officers, and served as chief Zambian political and government affairs advisor. Created and managed 100-person election observation effort and helped Embassy leadership secure release of political prisoners.

Coordinated security agreement with France and Djibouti to use Chabelley airfield for U.S. military drone operations.

Led Bureau policy response to Somali piracy, including international prosecution for 10 pirates who had taken Iranian fishing boat hostage.

Adjudicated over 36,000 visas, the most at the Consulate.

Led crisis management coordination for East Asia Pacific and South/Central Asia regions.

Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science from Davidson College, completed in 2008.