Avril Haines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avril Haines
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021
|
|
| 7th Director of National Intelligence | |
| In office January 21, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
|
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Neil Wiley Stacey Dixon |
| Preceded by | John Ratcliffe |
| Succeeded by | Tulsi Gabbard |
| 27th United States Deputy National Security Advisor | |
| In office January 11, 2015 – January 20, 2017 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Leader | Susan Rice |
| Preceded by | Antony Blinken |
| Succeeded by | K. T. McFarland |
| 4th Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency | |
| In office August 9, 2013 – January 10, 2015 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Director | John Brennan |
| Preceded by | Michael Morell |
| Succeeded by | David S. Cohen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Avril Danica Haines
August 27, 1969 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | David Davighi |
| Parent |
|
| Education | University of Chicago (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
Avril Danica Haines (born August 27, 1969) is an American lawyer. She served as the seventh Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Biden administration. She is the first woman to hold this important position.
Before becoming DNI, Haines worked as the Deputy National Security Advisor. She was also the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the Obama administration.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Avril Haines was born in New York City on August 27, 1969. Her mother, Adrian Rappin, was a painter. Her father, Thomas H. Haines, was a biochemist and helped start the CUNY School of Medicine. Avril grew up in Manhattan. When she was 15, her mother passed away.
After high school, Avril spent a year in Japan. There, she studied judo at a famous institute called the Kodokan in Tokyo.
In 1988, she started studying physics at the University of Chicago. While in college, she even worked fixing car engines! She also took flying lessons in New Jersey, where she met her future husband, David Davighi. She earned her physics degree in 1992.
In 1992, Avril moved to Baltimore. She started a doctoral program in physics at Johns Hopkins University. However, she later left the program. She and her husband bought a bar and turned it into a bookstore and café. She named it Adrian's Book Cafe, after her mother. The store was known for its unique books and hosted many literary events.
In 1998, she went to Georgetown University Law Center. She earned her law degree in 2001.
Career in Government
Early Roles
After law school, Avril Haines began her career in government. In 2001, she worked as a legal officer at an international organization. From 2003 to 2006, she worked for the State Department. She handled legal matters related to treaties and military affairs.
From 2007 to 2008, she worked for the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. She was a legal advisor for the Democrats in the Senate. At that time, Joe Biden was the chairman of this committee.
Obama Administration
From 2008 to 2010, Haines continued working for the State Department. She then joined the White House counsel's office. There, she advised the President on national security legal issues.
In 2013, President Obama chose her to be the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This was a very important role. She was the first woman ever to hold this position. She started this job on August 9, 2013.
Work Outside Government
After leaving the White House, Avril Haines worked at Columbia University. She was a senior researcher and helped lead a program called Columbia World Projects. This program uses academic research to solve big global challenges. She also worked with the Human Rights Institute at Columbia Law School.
Haines has also been a member of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. She is also a distinguished fellow at Syracuse University.
Consulting Work
Avril Haines has also worked as a consultant for technology companies. She advised Palantir Technologies, a company that creates software for data analysis. She also worked for WestExec Advisors. This company advises other businesses, including tech startups that want to work with the government.
Director of National Intelligence (2021–2025)
.jpg)
On November 23, 2020, Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Avril Haines for the position of Director of National Intelligence. This role leads all the intelligence agencies in the United States. She made history as the first woman to be chosen for this job.
On January 20, 2021, the Senate voted to confirm her. She was the first person in President Biden's team to be confirmed. The next day, Vice President Kamala Harris officially swore her into office.
In May 2022, she spoke about how countries like Russia and China try to build relationships with other nations. She mentioned countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In 2024, the Australian Government gave her the Australian Intelligence Medal. She received this award for her excellent service to the global intelligence community.
See also
In Spanish: Avril Haines para niños
