Matthew D. Steinhelfer is the Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) Deputy Assistant Secretary. Matthew leads the Bureau’s efforts to anticipate, prevent, and respond to conflict and instability in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. He also oversees CSO’s Office of Advanced Analytics. Matthew joined CSO from the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), where he led a team of democracy, governance, economic, and security sector subject matter experts responsible for thematic analysis and coordination of over $8.3 billion in annual U.S. foreign assistance. Matthew holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and an M.S. in Peace Operations from George Mason University. He speaks German and Afghan Dari.

Kyeh Kim is the Principal Deputy Vice President of the Department of Compact Operations of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. With over 20 years of experience in international development and project management in the public and non-governmental sectors, Kyeh oversees roughly $4 billion in economic assistance programs in the Africa region aimed at reducing poverty through economic growth and advancing America’s interests around the world. Kyeh joined MCC in 2004 as one of the first program managers and helped lead the project preparation, due diligence and negotiations of the first compact with Madagascar. Kyeh holds a B.A. in French from the University of Michigan. She started her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Gabon.

Heather Risley is a Senior Learning Advisor in the Office of Learning, Evaluation, and Research's Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) practice area at the U.S. Agency for International Development. In this role, she advances the integration of organizational learning and adaptive management into USAID’s programs in countries throughout the developing world. A proponent of adaptive learning both in Washington and in worldwide field offices, Heather helps bridge knowledge silos across Bureaus, Missions and throughout USAID. Heather holds a B.A. from Marquette University and a Master’s in Global Communications from The George Washington University, with specializations in international development and research methods.     

Mick Crnkovich serves as Director, Office of Information Operations Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. He leads a team charged with the integrated employment of information-related capabilities to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries. Previously, Mick served as the Director for Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation in the Office of the DASD for Security Cooperation. Mick also served 11 years at USAID, where he was the Deputy Director (Acting) of the Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation. He has a B.S. from Ohio University, an M.A. in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University, and an M.S. in National Security and Resource Strategy from National Defense University.