Craig Mullaney

Areas of expertise: Counterinsurgency, Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. military

An experienced tech executive, bestselling author and public speaker, and Army combat veteran, Mullaney currently leads public content operations at Facebook. He came to Silicon Valley following a career in public service. During President Barack Obama's first term, he served at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Pentagon. At USAID, Mullaney led the operations, planning and strategy portfolio for Development Innovation Ventures, a venture capital fund seeking breakthrough technology innovations to core challenges throughout the developing world. At the Pentagon, he was the principal director for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia policy. Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Mullaney was on the national security policy staff for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Mullaney graduated second in his class from the U.S. Military Academy. After completing Ranger School, he attended the University of Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship and earned master's degrees in diplomatic and economic history. As an Army officer, Mullaney led an infantry rifle platoon along the hostile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan with the 10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Operating along a range from humanitarian assistance to combat engagements against al-Qaida, his platoon earned the most combat decorations in the division. Following his return to the United States, Mullaney joined the elite 3rd Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard" in Arlington, Va., responsible for Arlington National Cemetery burials, the Tomb of the Unknowns and defense of the National Capital Region. He served a three-year appointment to the history faculty of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and led the international scholarships program to institutional and national record levels of success. Mullaney's military decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with "V" device, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge. Mullaney is the author of the 2009 New York Times bestseller "The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education." Accolades include The Washington Post's best books of 2009, Military Times' best military books of the decade and Barnes & Noble's "Discover Great New Writers" selection. He has appeared on the Charlie Rose show, the CBS Early Show, BBC World News America, National Public Radio, The Colbert Report and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Mullaney speaks frequently about leadership, management and education. His speaking engagements have included Harvard Business School, U.S. Southern Command, Princeton University, University of Mississippi, University of Kentucky, JP Morgan Chase, military service academies and numerous other business, academic, leadership and policy forums. Mullaney is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.