Executive Secretary
Dr. Kimberly O’Connor currently serves as the Executive Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As the Executive Secretary, she oversees the management of written communication intended for, and originated by, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Under her leadership, the Office of the Executive Secretary (ESEC) governs the Department-wide processes for responding to correspondence and preparing the Secretary’s briefing book, congressional authorization reports, hearing testimony, and questions for the record (QFR) related to congressional authorizing committees.
Dr. O’Connor previously served an eight-year appointment to DHS (2009-2017). She served in key leadership positions to include: the DHS Executive Secretary, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Senior Advisor to the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Chief of Staff of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement. In January 2017, Dr. O’Connor was awarded the DHS Distinguished Service Medal.
Prior to her 2009 DHS appointment, Dr. O'Connor served as the Director for the Division for Substance Abuse Policy for the State of Arizona. She was responsible for statewide policy initiatives as well as grant administration surrounding substance use prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts.