Elaine Duke is a Specialist Executive with Deloitte Consulting LLP Government and Public Service. Ms. Duke uses her experience as a senior homeland security leader, prominent executive, and federal management and acquisition expert to help define and execute Deloitte’s Defense and National Security Sector Strategy.
Ms. Duke was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from April 10, 2017 to April 15, 2018. She also served as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security from July 31, 2017 to December 6, 2017. During this time, she led DHS including Federal Emergency Response Agency (FEMA) in the federal response to the devastating 2017 hurricane season, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Duke was the principal of Elaine Duke & Associates, LLC, where she provided acquisition and business consulting services to large and small businesses.
An accomplished leader and a civil servant for most of her career, Ms. Duke has served in the federal government for nearly three decades, including as the Department’s Senate-confirmed Under Secretary for Management, a position she held from 2008-2010.
As Under Secretary, she was the Department’s Chief Management Officer, directly leading the Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Readiness and Logistics Officer, Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Human Capital Officer, and Chief Security Officer. She was responsible for the Department’s $47 billion budget and $12 billion acquisition program.
Prior to her appointment, she served both as the Department’s Deputy Under Secretary for Management and Chief Procurement Officer. During this time she led the Department’s management response and procurement supporting Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, LA, and the United States Coast Guard Deepwater Program.
She also served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Acquisition at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), delivering an acquisition program that met the post 9/11 legislative mandate to federalize passenger and baggage screening at U.S. airports. Prior to her service at DHS, Deputy Secretary Duke held various positions with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Ms. Duke received her B.S. in Business Management from New Hampshire College, now Southern New Hampshire University, and her M.B.A. from Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Over the course of her federal government service, Ms. Duke has received the DHS Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, the DHS Secretary’s Medal, the TSA Silver Medal for Customer Service, the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Medal.
Ms. Duke has served as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council and as a strategic advisor to the Government Technology and Services Coalition, assisting small and mid-tier businesses in the federal sector. She has taught acquisition at American University.
