Joan Rohlfing became president and chief operating officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative in January 2010, after nine years as NTI's senior vice president for programs and operations. She is responsible for managing all NTI programs and operations, overseeing an annual operating budget of approximately $20 million. 

While providing leadership to all NTI programs, she also co-directs the secretariat for the Nuclear Security Project, led by former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry, former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn in their effort to galvanize global action to reduce urgent nuclear dangers and build support for reducing reliance on nuclear weapons, ultimately ending them as a threat to the world.

Over the last 10 years, Rohlfing has played a critical role in guiding the organization. She was part of the original team that created the mission and scope for NTI in 2000.  Once the organization launched in 2001, she played strategic roles in key programs, including the design and launch of several of NTI’s hallmark projects such as the World Institute for Nuclear Security, the Middle East Consortium on Infectious Disease Surveillance and the Nuclear Security Project.

Before joining NTI, she held senior positions with the US Department of Energy, as senior advisor for national security to the Secretary of Energy and as director of the Office of Nonproliferation and National Security.  In 1998, when India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons, Rohlfing was selected for a nine-month assignment in New Delhi to advise the US ambassador on nuclear security issues.  Earlier, she served on the staff of the US House Armed Services Committee and at the US Department of Defense.

Rohlfing holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.  She was awarded the Department of Defense Civilian Service Medal in 1989. Rohlfing is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves as a member of the executive circle for Women in International Security (WIIS).