Principal officials

Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General

Before taking over as Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General, Geoffrey van Leeuwen served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation for the Netherlands, after having spent several years as National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Boris Ruge, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy

Ambassador Boris Ruge became Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy in September 2023. He leads the team responsible for political affairs within NATO’s International Staff, including partnerships, enlargement, policy with regard to Russia, as well as arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. From September until December 2024, he served as Acting Deputy Secretary General.

Jean Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber

Jean Charles Ellermann-Kingombe is Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber. In this capacity, he is the Secretary General’s primary advisor on maintaining NATO’s innovative edge, and on all issues relating to technological challenges, cyber defence and hybrid threats and their far-reaching implications for Alliance security.

Tarja Jaakkola, Assistant Secretary General - Defence Investment

Ms Tarja Jaakkola is NATO´s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment. In this role she leads the division responsible for facilitating the development and adoption of cutting-edge, innovative and interoperable capabilities, critical to ensuring the Alliance´s ability to undertake the full spectrum of missions and operations.

Francois-Marie Gougeon, Acting Assistant Secretary General, Defence Policy and Planning

Francois-Marie Gougeon is Acting Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning and is responsible for the Alliance's capability and force planning, posture, plans, and a range of defence policy questions, including nuclear issues.

Carlo Borghini, Assistant Secretary General for Executive Management

Carlo Borghini is the Assistant Secretary General for Executive Management. He has overall responsibility for management of the NATO headquarters, and is the Secretary General’s primary advisor for NATO-wide management issues.

Thomas Goffus, Assistant Secretary General for Operations

Tom Goffus was appointed as Assistant Secretary General for Operations in January 2022. He advises the Secretary General on strengthening defence capabilities of NATO partners, preparing NATO for the defence of Alliance territory, and responding to crises. In October 2023, Tom Goffus was appointed as NATO Secretary General's Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism.

Scott W. Bray, Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security

Scott W. Bray is NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security. Mr. Bray ensures that the NATO intelligence organizations operate as an enterprise to meet the challenging demands of the Alliance. He also is the senior advisor to the Secretary General for intelligence and security matters.

Patrick Turner, NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine

Patrick Turner has been the NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine since September 2024. He heads the NATO Representation to Ukraine (NRU), engages with Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv and coordinates NATO’s efforts on the ground in support of Ukraine.

Galen J. Nace, Director NATO Office of Security

Galen J. Nace is Director of NATO Office of Security (NOS) / Deputy Assistant Secretary General of Security (DASG-S) in the Joint Intelligence and Security Division. He took post on 6 March 2023.

Nathalie Matthijs, Director NATO Office of Resources (NOR)

Nathalie Matthijs is the Director of the NATO Office of Resources (NOR) in Brussels, Belgium.

Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security

Irene Fellin was appointed as NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security in November 2021.

Javier Colomina, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood

Javier Colomina is the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood as well as the Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy.

Rui Miguel Mendes da Silva, Financial Controller of the NATO International Staff

Rui Miguel Mendes da Silva is the Financial Controller of the NATO International Staff as of 3 March 2025. The International Staff Office of Financial Control is an independent office in charge of accounting, budget control, treasury, procurement and internal control functions for NATO Headquarters.

Chief Information Officer, Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer

Mr. Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer is NATO’s first Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Michael Simm, Secretary of the North Atlantic Council

Michael Simm is Secretary of the North Atlantic Council, Chief of Protocol of NATO HQ and Director of the NATO Summit and Ministerial Task Force.

John Swords, Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs

John Swords was appointed as the Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs at NATO Headquarters in Brussels in June 2020.

Allison Hart is currently the Acting NATO Spokesperson

François Gautier, Head of the Internal Oversight Service (IOS)

François Gautier is Head of the Internal Oversight Service (IOS). He took up his duties in April 2020.