CFR Welcomes New Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is pleased to welcome Erin D. Dumbacher as the inaugural Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow. 

Erin Dumbacher is a nuclear security and technology policy researcher and advisor with nearly two decades of experience in government, nonprofits, and the private sector. She joins the David Rockefeller Studies Program, CFR’s think tank, to focus on nuclear security policy. Ms. Dumbacher is based in CFR’s Washington, DC, office. She is a CFR term member and was a CFR International Affairs Fellow from 2024 to 2025. 

This position has been endowed by a gift from the Stanton Foundation. Established by Frank Stanton, former president of CBS from 1946 to 1971, the foundation focuses its philanthropy on nuclear security and free speech rights, among other areas. Frank Stanton’s involvement with nuclear issues began with his appointment to a committee convened by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954 to develop the first comprehensive plan for the survival of the United States following a nuclear attack. Stanton had responsibility for developing a plan for national and international communication in the aftermath of a nuclear incident. Honoring its founder’s deep commitment to nuclear security, the Stanton Foundation has made significant contributions to the field by supporting policy-relevant research and nurturing the development of the next generation of thought leaders on nuclear security issues.  

“We are grateful to the Stanton Foundation for its longtime support of CFR and for this generous grant, which establishes a fellowship for nuclear security amid unprecedented changes in the global threat environment,” said CFR President Michael Froman. “I am delighted to welcome Erin as the inaugural Stanton Senior Fellow. Erin’s deep domain expertise and government experience will enable CFR to produce world-class nuclear security research and analysis at a critical time.”  

Ms. Dumbacher served in the Department of Defense in the office of the undersecretary for policy’s force development and emerging capabilities office as a CFR International Affairs Fellow. She was the principal force development advisor for space, nuclear, and non-kinetic technology policies. She authored and coordinated Defense Planning Guidance, led force development work to address counterspace threats, and more. She was a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. 

Previously, Ms. Dumbacher led nuclear, space, cyber, and energy technology policy research at In-Q-Tel and the Nuclear Threat Initiative. As director for strategic policy analysis at In-Q-Tel, Ms. Dumbacher explored venture-backed space, cyber, and energy technologies and made recommendations to policymakers for harnessing commercial innovation. At the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Ms. Dumbacher authored research reviewing digital and advanced tools, such as automation and machine learning in the U.S. nuclear weapons modernization drive. Her work led to a National Defense Authorization Act requirement for a failsafe review of U.S. nuclear weapons.

Ms. Dumbacher holds a BA in international affairs and politics as well as modern Central and Eastern European history from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and an MA in conflict management and international economics from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.  

The Stanton Nuclear Security Senior Fellow endowment is in addition to the year-long Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship at CFR for young scholars studying nuclear security.