Melissa Bert

Rear Admiral Melissa Bert is a distinguished executive military leader known for her strategic planning and organizational leadership capabilities.

As the Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel of the U.S. Coast Guard, Melissa oversees a team of 500 legal professionals responsible for delivering legal services to support missions, units, and personnel.

She previously served as the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, where she managed external engagements with Congress, the media, and strategic partners.

In her role as Deputy Director of Operations for the U.S. Northern Command, she supervised homeland defense, defense support for civil authorities, and security cooperation in North America, Mexico, and The Bahamas.

Prior to her flag-rank promotion in 2016, Melissa excelled in legal and operational roles, earning prestigious awards for her legal expertise and leadership.

Melissa's commitment to nurturing talent led her to establish the Coast Guard Women's Leadership Initiative, offering mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities to young women in the Coast Guard.

She holds a J.D. from George Washington University and a B.S. in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, along with participating in fellowships at esteemed institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations and Harvard University.

Melissa's contributions extend beyond her military service, as she has also been recognized as a published author featured in reputable publications.

Her educational background includes studies in national security, law, political science, and military strategic studies at renowned institutions.

Throughout her diverse career, Melissa has held key roles in defense, legal, academia, and leadership development initiatives.