Damian Murphy

SVP For National Security and International Policy at CAP and Lecturer at George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

Damian Murphy has more than 25 years of international affairs experience as a leader, chief policy advisor, program director, researcher, and political party trainer. As the Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, he is at the forefront of foreign affairs and national security legislative and oversight efforts in Congress. Prior to Capitol Hill, he worked for more than a decade to advance democracy and human rights at the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House and the Center for Democracy where he trained political activists and human rights defenders throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He has managed offices with up to fifty staff and multi-million dollar budgets. CQ Magazine highlighted Murphy’s work on SFRC in its “18 People to Watch in 2018” issue.

Experience

  • Lecturer in International Affairs at The George Washington University
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Board Member at Free Russia Foundation
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Senior Vice President for National Security and International Policy at Center for American Progress
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Board Member at 16th St Neighborhood Association
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

  • United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (11 yrs 5 mos)
    • Majority Staff Director
      Sep 2021 - Jan 2025 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    • Senior Professional Staff Member for Europe and South/Central Asia
      Sep 2013 - Sep 2021 · 8 yrs 1 mo