Matthew Halek

Matthew is a public servant and national security leader who served as a Special Advisor for Innovation and John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellow in the Pentagon. Working at the intersection of defense, technology, and congressional politics, Matthew was the chief legislative strategist for Department-wide efforts to catalyze American innovation in support of U.S. national security, for which he earned the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Upon returning to Chicagoland, Matthew has served as a Strategic Advisor with P33 and the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park. As a Lecturer at the Harris School, Matthew hopes to inspire more young people to pursue careers in public service.   

Previously, Matthew served as a Democratic aide on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to its then-Ranking Member, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, where he advocated for stronger laws to protect our communities from gun violence and hate crimes. A fourth-generation Illinoisan and proud Chicagoland native, Matthew began his career in the Obama White House.

Matthew holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA from DePaul University. He is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an alumnus of the Aspen Strategy Group’s Rising Leaders Program and the Emerging Leader Program at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Born in Chicago and raised in McHenry County, he resides in the northern suburbs with his wife and daughters.