Lochlin Partners Recruits CFO for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
March 6, 2026 – Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of John Adams as the new CFO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. “John is an exceptional talent who brings deep financial expertise and strategic judgment to CSIS,” said CSIS president and CEO John Hamre. “With a record of innovative leadership and sound management, he is well positioned to help CSIS build on a period of strong growth and reinforce the foundation needed to scale our research and deepen our impact.”
Mr. Adams brings to CSIS more than 25 years of experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations through sustained financial growth and institutional modernization. He will oversee the center’s financial strategy, operations, and long-term planning, including finance, accounting, audit, and risk management.
Mr. Adams previously served as CFO of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, where he led all aspects of financial strategy and provided fiscal stewardship for approximately $1.5 billion in annual revenue. During his tenure, he helped scale finance capabilities to support rapid organizational growth while strengthening internal controls, modernizing financial processes, and enhancing decision support for senior leadership. Prior to that, Mr. Adams served in several senior executive service roles within the U.S. Department of the Navy, where he helped oversee one of the federal government’s largest and most complex financial enterprises, supporting hundreds of billions of dollars in assets and operations worldwide. Mr. Adams also held senior leadership roles within the U.S. Marine Corps, including as director for financial policy and procedures, where he guided financial operations for globally deployed forces and helped implement policy frameworks supporting disciplined resource management.
“I am honored to join CSIS, a world-class institution whose work shapes policy and informs decisionmakers on the most critical challenges facing our world,” said Mr. Adams. “I look forward to bringing ‘finance at the speed of relevance’ to ensure financial strategy and stewardship that enable the mission with agility, insight, and discipline. I am proud to support CSIS’s vision and help strengthen the foundation that allows its scholars to deliver timely, independent analysis that advances global security and prosperity.”
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With an annual operating budget exceeding $65 million, CSIS stands at the forefront of shaping the future of national security through rigorous, nonpartisan scholarship on the issues that will define American prosperity and security for decades to come—including defense, economic security and technology, geopolitics, and global development.
Proven Search Firm
Lochlin Partners conducts searches for board and executive-level positions within government and corporate affairs, government contracting, technology and services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare. The firm is led by managing partners Liza Wright, and Pat Friel. Each of the managing partners has been in the search business for 20 or more years and has been a partner in one of the four large international firms—and in most cases has run a major office or practice at those firms.
Lochlin Partners Assists the National Audubon Society with CDO Search
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Shabina Bahl as chief development officer of the National Audubon Society. She will serve as a key member of Audubon’s executive team, responsible for overseeing principal, institutional, planned, and corporate giving. Ms. Bahl is an accomplished development executive with over two decades of experience leading high-performing fundraising teams in complex not-for-profit environments. She has a track record of success in fundraising and team leadership within environmental, universities, hospitals and other charitable organizations. Ms. Bahl has directly raised $250+ million over the past 15 years in principal and major gifts. Most recently, she served as chief advancement officer at Sierra Club and Sierra Club Foundation leading all principal and major gift activities.
Ms. Wright has over 25 years of experience in the executive search industry. Prior to co-founding Lochlin Partners, she served at the highest levels of government, working at the White House as the assistant to the President and director of Presidential Personnel. As the senior personnel advisor to former President George W. Bush, she met with the President regularly to recommend individuals to fill critical presidential appointments, including Cabinet Secretaries, ambassadors and other key positions in cabinet-level departments and U.S. regulatory agencies.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Friel has provided executive search and leadership advisory services to a broad range of clients. He works extensively with clients in government, financial services, technology and professional services organizations, trade and membership associations, and non-profits, helping these clients build world-class management teams. Mr. Friel provides particular expertise in recruiting senior executives in the areas of general management (CEOs and general managers), financial management (CFOs, controllers, tax and audit leadership) and business management functions including marketing, business development, legal and human resources.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
