Dr. Ryan Donaghy

Dr. Ryan Donaghy serves as the Acting Deputy Executive Assistant Director for the Infrastructure Security Division (ISD) and Acting Assistant Director of the Stakeholder Engagement Division (SED) within the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

As the acting ISD Deputy Executive Assistant Director In this role, she leads CISA’s efforts to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure in coordination with government and the private sector. Key areas of focus include vulnerability and risk assessments; securing soft targets and crowded places; training and exercises; and securing high-risk chemical facilities.

As SED’s acting Assistant Director, Ryan leads CISA’s national and international partnerships and stakeholder outreach programs. She coordinates closely with other CISA divisions to ensure stakeholders across industry and government have access to critical infrastructure products, services, and tools to increase their security and resilience. She also provides executive oversight of the implementation of the agency’s role as National Coordinator for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience and collaborates closely with interagency partners to ensure the execution of Sector Risk Management Agency responsibilities. 

Since joining CISA in 2016, Ryan has served in multiple leadership roles, first as the Chief of Metrics and Analysis for the Office of Infrastructure Protection, then as a Senior Data Scientist at the National Risk Management Center, and then as the Deputy Chief for Chemical Security Policy, Rulemaking, and Engagement. She became a member of the Senior Executive Service in 2023, serving as the inaugural Associate Director for Planning and Innovation. As a member of CISA’s leadership team, Ryan represents the agency on a range of topics, to include cyber and physical security, cyber-physical resilience, emerging technology, and risk management. 

Prior to joining CISA, Dr. Donaghy worked as college professor and independent researcher for more than 10 years teaching courses on qualitative and quantitative research approaches, conflict and negotiation, leadership, and organizational communication.

Ryan is a two-time Fulbright Scholar and earned her bachelor’s degree from Muskingum University. Ryan also holds master’s degrees from Arizona State University and Harvard University, and received her doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles. She was recently recognized as one of Homeland Security Today’s “Homeland’s 50 Trailblazers of 2024.”