Biden Nominates Laura Taylor-Kale to Lead DOD’s Industrial Base Policy Office

President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Laura Taylor-Kale for the role of assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.

The announcement came weeks after the Department of Defense reorganized its industrial base policy office, Defense One reported in April. The move aimed to improve oversight of the sector as it faces post-pandemic supply chain challenges.

Congress created the assistant secretary for industrial policy role through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021. It resides in the Pentagon’s acquisition office.

Taylor-Kale currently serves as the fellow for innovation and economic competitiveness at the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent think tank based in New York City, the White House said.

In the said role, she conducts research on strategic innovation, industrial policy, the changing nature of work and the think tank’s Renewing America initiative.

She previously served as an international affairs fellow at CFR and as its deputy director for a workforce-related task force.

Before joining the think tank in 2017, Taylor-Kale served as deputy assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing in the International Trade Administration.

She was previously an adviser to the U.S. executive director on the boards of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation.

Taylor-Kale earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and anthropology from Smith College, a Master in Public Affairs degree from Princeton University, a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University and a doctorate in management science and engineering from Stanford University.

Deborah Rosenblum, the DOD’s assistant secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, is currently performing the duties of the industrial base policy chief.