Milena Rodban enrolled in SSP directly after receiving a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Goucher College. She chose SSP because of its location, policy focus, scholar-practitioner faculty, and robust international composition. Rodban found the depth of SSP’s curriculum alluring and believes her Missile Tech/Missile Defense class, in particular, was critical to her success in the political risk field. “My [missile defense] professor was able to teach a technical subject to a group that was anything but technical. I learned so much about breaking down complex topics into manageable parts, and that comes in handy when working to persuade clients to appreciate the value of customized geopolitical risk insight.” SSP taught Rodban to have confidence in the quality of her ideas and explore their potential ramifications. The program granted her access to an active and diverse alumni community, full of people willing to serve as mentors. She gives her SSP friends and colleagues credit for helping her find her niche in the security field.

After graduating from SSP in 2010 with a concentration in intelligence, Rodban began working as a consultant for startups, tech firms, Fortune 100 companies, universities, and NGOs. Currently, she is an independent geopolitical risk consultant who works directly with clients to design interactive simulations that help them understand how geopolitical developments could affect their operations, helping clients diagnose problems, analyze and practice major decisions, and integrate more effective communication, collaboration, and crisis response protocols. Rodban credits the diplomatic simulations and wargaming exercises she participated in during her time at Georgetown as having helped prepare her to design and facilitate interactive simulations for her clients.

When not working with clients, Rodban is working on completing her first book, entitled Geopolitical Flux. The book aims to address some of the shortcomings she sees in her field and details the ways that companies can better prepare for the risks and opportunities of a world in flux through her methodology. Rodban’s many endeavors have led her to the following realization about success: “It’s absolutely crucial to have stellar communication skills, and I don’t just mean writing. Being a confident briefer and speaker is also key. Decision-makers can tell if you know what you’re talking about and if you believe in the strength of your ideas.”