Barbara McNamara demonstrated extraordinary leadership qualities in advancing NSA’s mission, enhancing cooperation with other US agencies, and developing foreign partner relations. She began her career as a Chinese Linguist and served in several analytic, operational, and managerial positions at the National Security Agency (NSA). In 1994, she became the first woman to be Deputy Director of Operations, and in 1997 she reached the highest civilian position at NSA when she was named the Agency’s Deputy Director. In 2000, she became the first woman to hold the position of Senior United States Liaison Officer to London. Ms. McNamara received several prestigious awards, and in June 2000, she received the Intelligence Community’s highest award, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Her achievements in senior positions have had a lasting impact in improving NSA’s operations and facilitating support with and by the Intelligence Community, making the nation significantly more secure. Ms. McNamara retired in 2003. She is now a Director on several company boards and is a consultant to the Institute of Defense Analyses. She was inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2020. Read her Hall of Honor entry.
