Dr. Kimberly A. McClain is a seasoned C-suite executive and retired U.S. Air Force Reserve officer with over 28 years of service and more than two decades of leadership spanning banking and financial services, defense, management consulting, national security, as well as the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Renowned for her ability to drive impactful results, she excels at combining strategic vision with operational excellence in government relations, international business, executive development, organizational leadership, public engagement, stakeholder relationship management and strategic communications.
From 2023 to 2025, Dr. McClain served as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where she led high-impact collaborations with federal, state, and local elected officials, while shaping legislative frameworks in support of the Department's $73 billion budget, $1 trillion in grants, and approximately $6 trillion in financial assets.
Prior to HUD, Dr. McClain served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from 2021 to 2023. In this capacity, she advised senior leadership on legislative matters and directed congressional strategies for the VA’s $300 billion budget and legislative priorities.
Her international business and global expertise evidence by her work with 45+ nations during her tenure with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force, where she advised senior leaders, worked with foreign governments, and private sector companies on policy, operations, and partnership opportunities. Some of her roles included Senior International Cooperation Advisor in the Joint Staff (J5) Counterterrorism and International Cooperation, Senior Director for Foreign Policy and Partnerships Central and South America at U.S. Cyber Command, and Senior Country Director for Africa and Brazil in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs.
As Director of the Defense Senior Leader Development Program from 2016 to 2017, Dr. McClain managed an $8.1M budget and led a team to develop enterprise-wide leadership strategies for the Department of Defense. She oversaw a $20M senior executive development contract and ensured alignment with DoD policy standards. Earlier in her career, she applied her expertise in organizational development as Corporate Learning and Development Manager at Sonic Restaurant Industries from 2003 to 2005.
With three decades of experience in defense and intelligence, Dr. McClain possesses deep expertise in aviation, cybersecurity, defense acquisition, government relations, national security, and international security cooperation. As Director of Air Force Congressional Strategy from 2019 to 2021, she led a multifunctional team to drive congressional engagement strategies, supporting the Air Force’s $179 billion budget with innovative research, analysis, and strategic communications.
Dr. McClain’s financial expertise stems from a decade in banking and financial services with institutions like Capital One, Bank One, and Stewart James Financial Services. Her experience in risk operations, investment banking, and post-M&A integration underscores her strong financial acumen, which she seamlessly integrates with her public policy expertise.
Passionate about social responsibility, Dr. McClain is an active member of several organizations including The Links, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She exemplifies servant leadership, guided by her philosophy: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Dr. McClain holds a Ph.D. in International Business from Northcentral University, an M.S. in Human Relations and International Business from Amberton University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas. She is a graduate of the National Security Executive Seminar, Air War College, Air Force Command and Staff College, and Air Force Squadron Officer School, and holds a certification from the Defense Institute of Security Cooperation Studies.