Shanti Sethi, a trail-blazing woman Navy veteran has been named as defense advisor of Vice President Kamala Harris. Herbie Ziskend, Harris’s Senior Advisor, confirmed the appointment of Shanti Sethi, who would also serve as executive secretary. According to her LinkedIn profile, Sethi’s new job entails coordinating National Security Advisor material across the Vice President’s Office.
Sethi was born in Reno, Nevada. Her unique experience has provided insight into the job that she undertakes. Her mother was born in Canada and became a naturalized American citizen at the age of twelve, while her father arrived in the United States in the early 1960s from India. Sethi was named Senior Navy Military Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy in February 2021.
She was the first Indian American and only the 15th female officer to lead a major ship of the line when she took command of the missile destroyer USS Decatur from December 15, 2010, to May 12, 2012. Furthermore, She earned a degree in International Affairs from Norwich University in 1993. She also earned a George Washington University master’s degree in international policy and practice.
Additionally, Sethi’s time in the Navy taught her not to underestimate herself or hide her desire. She stated, “You can’t be what someone else believes you should be.” “You have to accept yourself as you are and say, ‘This is who I am, and I can thrive as who I am.’ I’m not required to act or pretend to be someone else.” Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and unit and campaign awards are among her honors and awards.