Dr. Colleen J. Shogan

Dr. Colleen J. Shogan served as the 11th Archivist of the United States, the first woman in American history appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to lead the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). A noted author and political scientist, Colleen is deeply committed to civics education and prioritized sharing the records of the National Archives to a wider audience. Under her leadership, NARA launched numerous strategic initiatives to enhance services and make its holdings more accessible, both in-person and online, with the goal of cultivating public participation and strengthening our nation’s democracy.

Prior to becoming Archivist, Colleen served in several cultural heritage leadership roles. She was Senior Vice President and Director of the David M. Rubenstein Center at the White House Historical Association, worked in the United States Senate, and served as a senior executive at the Library of Congress and its Congressional Research Service. She was the Vice Chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and the Chair of the Board of Directors at the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation.

A native of the Pittsburgh area, she holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a Ph.D. in American Politics from Yale University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow. Colleen is the 2024 recipient of the American Political Science Association’s Hubert Humphrey Award for outstanding public service.

Colleen is currently a senior advisor at More Perfect, an alliance of 37 presidential centers and hundreds of civic leaders and organizations, that invites Americans to consider the most enduring lessons of our history while informing the future of our democracy. She is also a Senior Fellow in Civics Education at Stand Together and an Adjunct Professor of Government at Georgetown University.

In her spare time, Colleen has published eight mystery novels in her award-winning Washington Whodunit series featuring amateur sleuth Kit Marshall. Stabbing in the Senate, her debut novel, received the Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal in 2016. Larceny at the Library won the 2021 bronze medal for mystery at the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs).

Sample Keynote Speeches:

The Power of Archives in Safeguarding Democracy: A Conversation with Dr. Colleen Shogan

As the 11th Archivist of the United States and the first woman to hold the position, Dr. Colleen Shogan led efforts to preserve and share the nation’s most cherished and valuable historical records, including the founding documents. In conversation, she explores the critical role of nonpartisan archives in democracy, the responsibility of safeguarding historical truths, and how access to public records empowers civic engagement. Audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for the National Archives and its role in ensuring government transparency, accountability, and historical integrity.

Lessons in Leadership: Navigating High-Stakes Public Service

With a career spanning the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the White House Historical Association, Dr. Colleen Shogan has led at the intersection of history, politics, and public service. In this inspiring session, she shares leadership lessons learned from navigating complex institutions, sharing American narratives, driving strategic initiatives, and making history as the first female Archivist of the United States.

The Value of Resilience in Turbulent Times

Dr. Colleen Shogan, the first woman to serve as Archivist of the United States and a lifelong public servant, explores the essential role of resilience in leadership, public service, and personal growth. Drawing on her own experiences navigating challenges at the highest levels of government and surviving breast cancer, she offers an inspiring reflection on how perseverance, integrity, and purpose can guide us through turbulent times.