J. Matthew Vaccaro - Institute for Security Governance
Principal, Peace & Security Division

Principal
Mr. Matthew Vaccaro is Principal of the Peace & Security (P&S) Division within the Institute for Security Governance (ISG). In this role, Mr. Vaccaro oversees ISG activities in the areas of resilience and emergency preparedness, maritime security, conflict management, combating terrorism, peacekeeping, and cybersecurity. In addition, he is an active instructor and advisor for ISG on national security organizations and policy-making as well as conflict management topics.
Prior to his position at ISG, Mr. Vaccaro was Program Manager for Prevention, Relief, & Recovery (PR&R) for the Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), as well as several other positions within the Center since 2003.
Mr. Vaccaro previously served in the US Government as Director of the Office for Peace Operations in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2000-2003); Director for Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs on the National Security Council Staff at the White House (1998-2000); and action officer roles within the Pentagon (1994-1998). He also worked for a research firm and think tank as well as served in the 10th Mountain Division as a US Army officer.
His BA and MA are from Stanford University in international relations and international policy studies, respectively. Mr. Vaccaro and his wife have two teenaged children.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Change Management
- Civil-Military Relations
- Conflict Management & Resolution
- Security & Defense Policy & Strategy
- Security Sector Reform