Madison Estes is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Andrew Carnegie AI-Nuclear Policy Accelerator. 

Madison Estes is a Nuclear Policy Specialist and Chief for NATO Nuclear Policy at United States European Command (USEUCOM), where she develops command-level nuclear policy and strategy and represents USEUCOM at NATO nuclear policy committees in Brussels, engaging allied counterparts on deterrence, emerging strategic risks, and nuclear surety and safety. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the USEUCOM J5 Directorate’s Category III Civilian of the Year for FY2025.

Previously, Ms. Estes served as a Senior Policy Advisor at U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), where she played a key role in implementing the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review and supported analysis informing U.S. nuclear posture and policy formulation for the two nuclear peer environment. Earlier in her career, she held positions at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, where she supported development of the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, and at the Center for Naval Analyses, where she led and contributed to major studies on deterrence strategy, escalation management, and arms control. Ms. Estes is a recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Achievement Medal and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. She holds an M.A. in Nonproliferation and International Security from King’s College London and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Texas at Austin.