Caryn Wagner
Caryn Wagner | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1957 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Intelligence official, academic |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis (2010–2012) |
Caryn Wagner held the position of Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security from February 11, 2010, until December 21, 2012. In her capacity as DHS's Chief Intelligence Officer (CINT), she directed the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, managing intelligence operations across DHS components. Wagner was notably the first female to occupy this post, bringing a wealth of expertise from her extensive career within the U.S. Intelligence Community and experience on Capitol Hill.
Birth and Education
Wagner was born on September 22, 1957, in Columbus, Georgia. She completed her undergraduate studies in English and History at the College of William and Mary in 1979. Later, she earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1987.
Intelligence Community Experience
From 1979 to 1987, Wagner served as an officer specializing in signals intelligence and electronic warfare in the U.S. Army, concluding her active duty service with the rank of Captain. Following this, she worked as an Army intelligence research specialist between 1988 and 1990.
After a three-year period at Booz Allen Hamilton where she concentrated on tactical exploitation, military operational support, and designing intelligence systems architecture, Wagner joined the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). She served as Staff Director for its Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence from 1995 to 1996.
Between 1996 and 2000, Wagner led the Military Intelligence Staff at the Pentagon under the Defense Intelligence Agency. Subsequently, she took on the role of Deputy Director for Analysis and Production at DIA and acted as liaison to the United States European Command until 2003.
From 2004 through 2007, she occupied senior leadership positions including CIA executive director for Intelligence Community affairs, Assistant Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Management, and became the inaugural Chief Financial Officer for the National Intelligence Program within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Returning to Capitol Hill from 2007 to 2008, Wagner worked as budget director and cybersecurity coordinator for HPSCI. Between 2008 and 2009, she provided instruction on Intelligence Community management through a private training organization serving both government entities and private security sectors.
Under Secretary of Homeland Security
President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate Wagner as Under Secretary for Homeland Security on October 26, 2009. She underwent two confirmation hearings: initially before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on December 1, 2009, followed by a session with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on December 3, 2009. The Senate confirmed her appointment on February 11, 2010.
Throughout her term, Wagner appeared before Congress several times to discuss DHS intelligence operations and threat evaluations. Her testimonies addressed topics such as developing DHS’s intelligence capabilities, enhancing connections with homeland communities, and assessing national security risks arising from terrorism and social media platforms.
Wagner stepped down from her role effective December 21, 2012. Following her departure, Deputy Under Secretary Bill Tarry acted as Under Secretary until Francis X. Taylor was nominated as her successor on February 12, 2014.
Post-DHS Career
Beginning in January 2015, Wagner has taken on the role of Adjunct Faculty at the National Intelligence University, where she instructs courses on leadership, management, Intelligence Community policies, and the financial oversight of intelligence assets. Additionally, she contributes as a board member for the National Intelligence University Foundation.
Wagner maintains various governance and advisory positions within both nonprofit and private sector entities, such as the National Women’s Memorial and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, where she leads the Homeland Security Intelligence Council as chair. Furthermore, she participates on the editorial board of Homeland Security Today.