Inside the Cabinet Room: Leadership, Diplomacy, and Decision-Making ft. Evan Ryan

Join the Institute of Politics for a lunchtime conversation with Evan Ryan, who most recently served as White House Cabinet Secretary in the administration of Joe Biden. With decades of experience across the White House, the State Department, presidential campaigns, and the private sector, Ryan has played a central role in shaping policy coordination and leadership at the highest levels of government.

In this discussion, she will reflect on her career in public service, the inner workings of the Cabinet, and the challenges of governing during a period of rapid political and global change. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand insights into leadership, diplomacy, and decision-making in Washington.

*Free Lunch

Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person.

About Evan Ryan, Former White House Cabinet Secretary 

Evan Ryan is a seasoned American public servant who most recently served as the White House Cabinet Secretary in the Joe Biden administration from 2021 to 2025. Raised in Alexandria, Virginia, she earned a B.A. from Boston Collegeand a Master’s in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Ryan’s extensive career includes serving as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (2013–2017) and as a key advisor to then-Vice President Biden. Her political experience spans decades, having held roles in the Clinton White House and serving as deputy campaign manager for Biden’s 2008 presidential bid. Between government roles, she helped launch the media company Axios as Executive Vice President.