This is a profile image of Jon Spaner

Jon Spaner

Advises public sector organizations on integrated strategy, leadership, transitions, crisis management, procurement, and innovation

Jon is a partner in the Washington, DC, office where he focuses on issues involving integrated strategy, leadership, transitions, and crisis management in the public sector. He also serves as McKinsey’s dean of faculty excellence.

Some of his recent client work includes the following:

  • helping a Fortune 300-scale public sector organization develop a five-year portfolio strategy that integrates strategic priorities with their budget and programs
  • leading the development of a technical roadmap for a public sector organization to integrate biometric technologies into frontline missions
  • developing the hiring and recruiting strategy and branding and implementation plan for a Fortune 100-scale public sector organization to meet financial management talent objectives

Previously, Jon served as a commissioned officer in the US Coast Guard for 22 years, holding the rank of captain (O-6) and leading two major commands: sector commander and captain of the Port of San Diego, California. He also served as commanding officer of US Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.

Operationally, Jon has held senior pilot ratings in the C-130 aircraft and H-60/65 helicopters during earlier tours in California, Florida, and Oregon. Moreover, on behalf of the US Department of State, Jon led the United States delegation to the Arctic Council task force responsible for establishing the Arctic Economic Council.

Jon also served as strategic policy advisor to a four-star general, director of port/cargo security on the White House staff, and special assistant as a White House Fellow.

Jon has extensive experience with crisis operations, including flying relief missions during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, advising the National Incident Command during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and surviving a piracy attack in South America while serving on a US Flag Merchant Ship as a cadet.

Jon is a former international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a former fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and a former White House Fellow.

He resides in Virginia.

PUBLISHED WORK

How multimodal AI could retool global crisis response,” Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, June 2024

Generative AI is set to transform crisis management,” NextGov.com, October 2023

Building Resilience: The history and future of US crisis management,” McKinsey & Company, August 2022

From the private sector to public service: What ex-US corporate executives need to know,” McKinsey & Company, March 2021

Managing presidential transitions: Five tips for agency review teams,” McKinsey & Company, November 2020

Leveraging technology to improve security and traveler experience,” McKinsey & Company, November 2019

How customs agencies can help special economic zones succeed,” McKinsey & Company, August 2019

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MBA, finance, economics, strategy

Purdue University - Krannert School of Management
MS, management

United States Merchant Marine Academy
BS, marine transportation (cum laude)