Mara Rudman became Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Chief of Staff for the National Security Council in August 1999. Ms. Rudman assists the National Security Advisor in developing and directing national security strategy and in managing the daily operations of the National Security Council staff.

Mara Rudman served as Counselor to the National Security Advisor from May to August 1999. She served previously on the NSC staff as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Legislative Affairs from November 1997 to January 1999. Ms. Rudman was minority Chief Counsel to the House Committee on International Relations from 1995-1997, as well as from February to May 1999. From 1993 to 1995, Ms. Rudman served as the majority Legal Counsel to that committee. Prior to her committee positions, she was an associate at Hogan and Hartson, and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Stanley Marcus, Southern District of Florida. Earlier, Ms. Rudman worked as a legislative assistant to the Honorable Gerry E. Studds.

Born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Ms. Rudman received her A.B. from Dartmouth College and her J.D. from Harvard Law School.