Aarzu Maknojia, Director, is dedicated to conducting high-quality research and analysis on the issues most important to our clients. Aarzu’s expertise is in security policy, and she is actively engaged in issues related to the defense industrial base and defense acquisition policy.
Prior to joining SMI, she worked in the Office of Senator Ron Wyden where she attended hearings, prepared correspondence for constituents, and prepared briefing materials. She has worked at numerous advocacy-focused organizations including Young Invincibles and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Office of White House and Congressional Affairs. In both roles, her responsibilities included analyzing reports, preparing memos and fact sheets for clients, and understanding stakeholder needs. Aarzu also has professional-level fluency in Urdu and is conversational in Gujarati and Arabic.
Aarzu holds a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and an MPP with a specialization in National Security Studies from George Mason University.