Jorhena Thomas Adjunct Professorial Lect School of International Service
- Degrees
- MA, International Affairs
- Languages Spoken
- English, Spanish
- Book Currently Reading
- The 9 Types of Leadership (by Beatrice Chestnut)
- Bio
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Jorhena Thomas has dedicated her career to finding meaningful ways to improve, enhance, and transform security efforts at all levels.
She has extensive experience in intelligence analysis and investigations, homeland security, emergency management exercises, critical infrastructure protection, strategic communication, and inter-organizational liaison at the international, national, and local levels.
She has a particular interest in the study of disinformation and the integration of intelligence analysis principles into security work. Her background spans government, the private sector, and academia.
Jorhena started her security career as an Intelligence Analyst and Program Manager for the FBI, where she worked international terrorism and criminal matters, as well as oversaw the FBI’s intelligence program in the Western Hemisphere. She went on to serve in a range of security-related positions, to include Deputy Director/Operations Manager at the Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center (the District of Columbia's intelligence fusion center), Chief of Staff to the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, Senior Risk Consultant with The Gate 15 Company, and Regional Security Manager for the Americas with CARE USA.
She is currently the Director of Professional Advancement with Girl Security, an organization focused on bringing more women and gender minorities into the national security space.
- See Also
- For the Media
- To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
Partnerships & Affiliations
AU Experts
Area of Expertise
Intelligence; intelligence analysis; contemporary issues in intelligence work; including bias, diversity, and ethics; homeland security issues; disinformation
Additional Information
Jorhena Thomas, adjunct professorial lecturer, is an expert in international affairs and intelligence. She has extensive experience in intelligence analysis, intelligence-led investigations, and homeland security. She serves as the Vice-President of the Washington, D.C. Area Chapter of the International Association for Intelligence Education. Prof. Thomas writes, speaks, and consults on a wide range of security and intelligence matters throughout the United States and abroad. Previously, Prof. Thomas served as the Principal of Wright Thomas International, a research and consulting firm; as the Chief of Staff to the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice; as the Deputy Director and Operations Manager at the Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center (the District of Columbia's intelligence fusion center); and as a senior Intelligence Analyst and Program Manager with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where she focused on international terrorism and criminal matters. At American University, she runs a practicum course on disinformation that focuses on helping U.S. Government entities address the evolving use of information warfare by nation states. Prof. Thomas can discuss issues related to intelligence, homeland security, terrorism, and disinformation in the context of the 2020 presidential campaign.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.