The Honorable Dr. Kimberly A. McClain was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on January 3, 2023. In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and senior staff with respect to legislative affairs, congressional relations and policy matters affecting federal, state, and local governments, and public and private interest groups. This includes the development of the Department’s legislative priorities and collaborating with the Chief Financial Officer on the development of the Department’s $73.3 billion budget.
From 2021 to 2023, Dr. McClain served in the Biden–Harris Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, she advised the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on congressional matters and provided management and oversight of the Department’s congressional activities.
Dr. McClain has more than 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, financial services, government and international relations, national security and security cooperation in academia, private, and public sectors. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration in 2021, she served in a variety of positions within the Department of Defense to include Director for Congressional Strategy (Air Force Legislative Affairs) where she led teams charged with planning, execution, and management of the Department’s congressional engagement strategy which included research, metrics, analysis, strategy, and strategic communications in support of the Department’s $169 billion dollar budget.
During her tenure at U.S. Cyber Command, Dr. McClain served as Senior Country Director for Latin America, in the Foreign Policy and Partnerships Directorate where she advised the USCYERBCOM Commander, Deputy Commander, and Director Foreign Policy and Partnership on cyberspace security cooperation in the Americas. Dr. McClain also served as Director, Defense Senior Leadership Development Program in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
A retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. McClain served over 29 years in the U.S Air Force; activity duty and reserve. During her military career, Dr. McClain flew over 1600 hours as an E-3 AWACS Instructor Senior Air Battle Manager and Senior Weapons Director. Dr. McClain’s staff roles included Senior International Cooperation Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Senior Country Director for Africa and Brazil, Legislative Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Policy Advisor, Legislative Affairs Officer, and Executive Officer.
In the private sector, Dr. McClain prior positions include Senior Executive Communications Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer with Accenture Federal Services, Customer Relations and Risk Operations Manager at Capital One Financial Services, an Investment Banker with Stewart James Financial Services, and as an Adjunct Professor at Northcentral University.
A native of Rockford, Illinois, Dr. McClain earned her Doctor of Philosophy in International Business from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Human Relations and International Business from Amberton University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas.
Dr. McClain is a graduate of Air War College, National Security Executive Seminar, Naval Postgraduate School - Africa and Latin America Joint Foreign Area Officers Phase II Development Courses, and Air Force Command and Staff College. Dr. McClain received her Defense Institute for Security Cooperation Certification from the Defense Institute of Security Cooperation Studies in 2015.
She is a member of several civic and professional organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, Diversity in National Security, Leadership Council for Women in National Security, Truman National Security Project, and Women in Government Relations.