Terri Swetnam, PhD

Terri Swetnam, PhD, is the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S.-Japan Council. Terri has spent almost 30 years in finance and operations management positions across nonprofit, government and private sector for-profit organizations. Terri has extensive experience in change-oriented initiatives, leadership and team development, and a strong record of helping organizations, groups, and executives to identify, align, and meet goals. She is known as a leader of transformational change and an effective organizational and personal coach. Most recently, as COO at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), she implemented financial and operational management practices which ensured a cohesive and productive operating environment and added immeasurable value from a financial perspective. Prior to NDIA, Terri was the CFO at American Psychiatric Association. In her 14 years as the senior business officer, Terri developed strategy and led transformative changes across the organization. Terri has served in finance, pricing and auditing positions at The National Academies, CACI International and the Defense Contract Audit Agency. She has taught organizational leadership and other business courses at local colleges for 20 years. Terri is a CPA, holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Baltimore and an M.S. in accounting from George Mason University. Terri earned a PhD in organizational leadership, with a focus on the nonprofit sector, from Regent University. She serves on the board of Project-Mend-a-House.