Anthony “Tony” Johnson, SSP’18
Adjunct Research Staff Member & Senior Advisor, Institute for Defense Analyses Former President & CEO of the Truman National Security Project
“SSP gave me the analytical rigor to translate years of national security practice into real strategic impact. The program challenged me to think differently about problems I'd worked on my entire career. The friendships and relationships I built in SSP continue to enrich my life and open doors. Returning to teach at the Center for Security Studies was my way of paying that forward—and staying connected to a community I'm proud to belong to.”
Tony Johnson is a U.S. Navy veteran and national security executive with 30 years of experience leading complex organizations, advising top-tier decision-makers, and driving institutional transformation across the defense, diplomatic, and civic sectors. He has built a career at the intersection of strategy, organizational reform, and leader development—helping institutions modernize, strengthen performance, and cultivate the next generation of leaders.
Tony most recently served as President & CEO of the Truman National Security Project and Truman Center, where he led a period of renewed momentum and mission modernization. He expanded Truman’s national reach, championed member-driven initiatives on emerging threats, and elevated a values-forward approach to civic literacy and public engagement on national and domestic security.