The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award - 2022: Brian P. McKeon '85

Brian P. McKeon has had a distinguished career of public service, with over 30 years of service in all three branches of the U.S. government.

He currently serves as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, where he is the chief operating officer and responsible for oversight of a global platform of embassies and consulates and the budgets of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

McKeon served in several national security positions in the Obama-Biden Administration. At the Department of Defense, he was Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy from 2014-17, and concurrently served as Acting Under Secretary for the final seven months of the administration. In the White House, he served as Deputy Assistant to the President, Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the National Security Council (2012-14), and before that as Deputy National Security Adviser to then-Vice President Biden (2009-12).

McKeon worked for more than 20 years in the U.S. Senate, including 12 years as chief counsel to the Democratic members of the Committee on Foreign Relations and concurrently as deputy staff director for two years.

In the judicial branch, McKeon served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar, in the Eastern District of Virginia.

In addition to receiving his BA from Notre Dame, McKeon received a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center. He was twice awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

He is married to Lizabeth Tankersley, and resides in Washington, DC.

"My experience at Notre Dame, including a life-changing semester abroad, helped spur a lifetime of service and a rewarding career in international affairs. I am greatly honored to receive the Cavanaugh Award."