Successor to the late General Colin Powell brings decades of unparalleled service
and commitment to strengthening America’s global leadership

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) announced that retired Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chief of Naval Operations and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been named the new Chair of USGLC’s National Advisory Council. Admiral Mullen succeeds the late General Colin Powell, who led the council with distinction for 15 years, solidifying its role as a vital advocate for America’s global leadership.

“There is no one better suited to fill the unfillable void left by the passing of General Colin Powell,” said USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer. “Admiral Mullen is a patriot, leader, and friend who understands that a safer world and a stronger America are two sides of the same coin.”

Admiral Mullen, one of the most respected and accomplished military leaders of our time, served as the nation’s top military officer under both Republican and Democratic administrations. During his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen was renowned for his ability to build consensus and inspire action, forging bipartisan support for key national security priorities. His leadership was pivotal in navigating crises, from conflicts in the Middle East to humanitarian emergencies, underscoring his belief that military strength alone cannot solve the world’s most pressing problems. As Admiral Mullen told Congressional leaders, “The more we cut the International Affairs Budget, the higher the risk for longer and deadlier military operations.”

“At a time when economic security is tantamount to national security, the stakes for America on the global stage have rarely been higher,” said Admiral Mullen. “It’s why USGLC’s mission to educate and engage the public and policymakers on why America’s role in the world impacts families here at home could not be more relevant or important.”

Admiral Mullen joins a National Advisory Council that already includes a range of bipartisan foreign policy and national security patriotic luminaries, including former Secretaries of State, Defense, Treasury, Commerce, and Agriculture, along with former National Security Advisors and Congressional leadership (full list). With Admiral Mullen at the helm, the council will continue to provide guidance to USGLC at this moment of rising global threats to underscore how America’s global engagement advances our own security, prosperity, and values.

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