Dr. Tom Mahnken is the President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He holds a PhD in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, where he currently works as a Senior Research Professor. He is a current member of the 2022 National Defense Strategy Comission and has held several other positions in the Department of Defense.

Dr. Mahnken has received awards such as the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service and has authored many books, including Strategy in Asia: The Past, Present, and Future of Regional Security and The Gathering Pacific Storm: Emerging U.S.-China Strategic Competition in Defense Technological and Industrial Development.