John Sipher

John Sipher (@john_sipher) is the co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment, a firm providing content to the entertainment industry, and a Director of Client Services at CrossLead, a software/consulting firm.

John is a sought-after foreign policy and intelligence expert. His articles have been published in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Politico, Foreign Affairs, Newsweek, Slate, Lawfare, and The Cipher Brief as well as Just Security. He regularly appears on the PBS NewsHour, CNN, MSNBC, BBC and speaks to corporate, academic and governmental groups.

John retired in 2014 after a 28-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service. At the time of his retirement, he was a member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, the leadership team that guides CIA activities globally. John served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, and in high-threat environments. He has significant experience working with foreign and domestic partners to solve national security challenges. John also served as a lead instructor in the CIA’s clandestine training school and was a regular lecturer at the CIA’s leadership development program. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

John graduated from Hobart College and has a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University. He has attended a variety of executive courses at Harvard University, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, The Aspen Institute, and the Intelligence Community’s Executive Leadership program.