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    1. Home
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    3. Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe People
    1. Home
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    3. Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe People

    Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe

    Director, National Security and Resiliency


    • Boston
    • Office+1 617.345.1173
      Mobile+1 781.608.7753
    • jbenincasathorpe@nixonpeabody.com
    • Download vCard
    • LinkedInX (Twitter)EmailCopy URL
    • LinkedIn Profile

    Introduction

    Jeanne offers strategic planning and policy development related to national security, public health preparedness, organizational resilience, crisis management, and cybersecurity. She works with NP attorneys to help clients anticipate potential challenges to ensure continuity in times of crisis.

    Practice Areas

    Regulatory & Government Relations

    Industries

    ConsumerFood, Beverage & AgribusinessEnergyHealthcareHigher EducationManufacturingSports & StadiumsInfrastructureTechnology

    My focus

    Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, I work with private, public, and nonprofit entities to develop and implement forward-thinking strategies that prepare clients for today’s emerging risks and map out resilient futures.

    In today’s complex and dynamic world, organizations must identify active and emerging risks that could jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of their people or disrupt the continuity of services. I team with NP attorneys to assess the legal and strategic needs of organizations in this challenging environment. Together, we identify opportunities for clients to bolster their response to high-stakes disruptors including public health emergencies, active shooter incidents, civil unrest, severe weather events, cyberattacks, and more.

    I work closely with organizational leadership and boards of directors to pinpoint these challenges, prepare strategies to address them, and drive the best outcomes. I bring deep experience in formulating, innovating, and delivering client-specific solutions to manage and mitigate these risks.

    As a senior government leader for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I helped fortify public safety efforts by building responsive coalitions across business sectors and jurisdictions. All complex organizations face coordination challenges, and I use my experience in public-sector response to help clients open clear paths of collaboration and align on shared goals with internal and external stakeholders.

    In my previous role, I directly supervised six different public safety state agencies, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Fire Services, the Commonwealth Fusion Center, the Massachusetts National Guard, and the Homeland Division of the Office of Grants and Research. I served as the Secretary of Public Safety’s primary liaison to state and federal partners, including FEMA and the FBI, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Governors Association. My versatility and consensus-building skills inform my guidance to organizations of all types.

    In addition, I was instrumental in developing the first-ever statewide Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CIRT). During the COVID-19 pandemic, I coordinated the efforts of the Commonwealth’s public safety agencies to distribute desperately needed personal protective equipment to first responders and others exposed to the virus. Our team also established a comprehensive mobile testing program across all Department of Correction facilities and implemented strategic testing plans for first responders and essential workers.

    Looking ahead

    We live in turbulent times. From conflicts and global pandemics to natural disasters, organizations have an acute need to bolster and fortify their preparedness strategies, moving from reactive to resilient.

    Insights

    • “What Happened to the Plans,” Future of Public Health Emergency Enterprise: After-Action Report (AAR) sponsored by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. (Operational subject-matter expert)

    In the news

    • Law360

      Nixon Peabody gains threat response pro from Massachusetts DHS

      This article covers the NP arrival of Director of National Security and Resiliency Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, noting her previous role as Massachusetts Undersecretary for Homeland Security. The article also quotes Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee and Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb.

      Sep 29, 2023
    • WFXT Boston 25 News

      Former Massachusetts government leader joins law firm as Director of National Security and Resiliency

      This article highlights the NP arrival of Director of National Security and Resiliency Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, noting her previous role as Massachusetts Undersecretary for Homeland Security. The article also quotes Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee and Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb.

      Sep 27, 2023

    Education

    Naval Postgraduate School, Executive Leadership Program
    FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy at the Emergency Management Institute, Executive Leadership Program
    Providence College, B.A.

    Professional activities

    • Boston Area Maritime Security Committee, Co-Chair
    • Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board Department of Fire Services Commission
    • Massachusetts Port Authority Policy-Level Advisory Committee Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force
    • Massachusetts Asset and Security Strategy Task Force Massachusetts Cyber Resilient Working Group
    • ATAC-JTTF Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council
    • Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council USA Working Group, Chair

    Recognition

    • Appointed in 2018 by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker as the Undersecretary of Homeland Security at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and his Homeland Security Advisor
    • Appointed in 2023 to Governor Maura Healey’s administration, where she led the Commonwealth's primary emergency preparedness and response organizations, advised the administration on key policy issues, and cultivated private-public partnerships across every level of government

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Article

      Apply now for FEMA’s BRIC and flood mitigation assistance grants

      Oct 20, 2023
    • Press Release

      Nixon Peabody hires accomplished senior government leader and advisor Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe

      Sep 27, 2023
    • Video

      Interview with Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe

      National Security and Resilience
      Sep 26, 2023
      Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe / National Security and Resiliency Director / Nixon Peabody LLP
    View All

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • James E. Vallee

      Partner / Boston Office Managing Partner / Practice Group Leader, Government Relations & Public Policy Group
      • Boston
      • Office:+1 617.345.1313
      • jvallee@nixonpeabody.com
      James E. Vallee
    • Charles R. Bernardini

      Partner
      • Chicago
      • Office:+1 312.977.4377
      • crbernardini@nixonpeabody.com
      Charles R. Bernardini
    • Gabrielle B. Goldstein, PhD

      Counsel
      • San Francisco
      • Office:+1 415.984.8266
      • ggoldstein@nixonpeabody.com
      Gabrielle B. Goldstein, PhD
    • Brian T. Kelly

      Partner
      • Boston
      • Office:+1 617.345.1065
      • bkelly@nixonpeabody.com
      Brian T. Kelly
    • Floyd D. Perkins

      Partner
      • Chicago
      • Office:+1 312.977.4411
      • fdperkins@nixonpeabody.com
      Floyd D. Perkins
    View All

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