Mary Beth Long founded and is the former chief executive officer of Metis Solutions, recognized on the 2014 Inc. 5000 list as the 201st fastest-growing private company and the 12th top government service company. She also consults for several Fortune 50 companies and specializes in the African and Middle Eastern markets. Ms. Long was the first woman to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2007–2009), specifically as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. A four-star civilian equivalent, Ms. Long also served as the first female Chair of NATO’s High Level Group responsible for nuclear policy. In addition to her senior role on the Middle East, Europe and Africa, she served as the Principal Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, Asia, and Southeast Asia; the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Counternarco-terrorism; and representative to the Helsinki Commission. She adds to her defense credentials more than a decade of Central Intelligence Agency operational experience (1986–99) as an officer assigned abroad.

Ms. Long currently serves as an advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a subject matter expert and on the international advisory committee for the Minister of Defense of Colombia. She has advised several Presidential candidates. Ms. Long has appeared on Fox News, BBC, and NPR on Middle East issues and the intelligence community. She is a licensed lawyer, and from 1999 until 2004 was an associate specializing in civil litigation matters at Williams & Connolly LLP, one of the nation’s most prestigious law firms. Ms. Long travels regularly to the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and Afghanistan and has offices in Abu Dhabi and Kabul. She is an Honors Graduate of Pennsylvania State University, magna cum laude, and received her JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law.