Lt. Gen. Dan "Fig" Leaf - USAF (Ret.)

Dan “Fig” Leaf the Managing Director of Phase Minus 1, LLC and works an independent consultant on a broad range of security matters. He has lived in the region over 16 years and travelled extensively throughout, working with leaders of every regional nation except North Korea. His key focus areas include North Korea, conflict resolution, effective governance, strategic leadership, and Women, Peace & Security (UNSCR 1325).

Fig served as the Director, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) from January 2012 through October 2016. DKI APCSS is a Department of Defense academic institute that promotes cooperation on regional and global security issues through executive education courses and workshops. In that capacity, he led defense engagement with Burma’s emerging democracy, leveraged his relationships with senior leaders to build a stronger US-Vietnam strategic partnership, and made measurable contributions to the security posture and capacities of Laos, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and other nations.

Prior to DKI APCSS, he worked in the defense industry as vice president of full spectrum initiatives at Northrop Grumman Information Systems from 2008-2012. Formerly the Deputy Commander of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), Lt. Gen. Leaf retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2008 after more than 33 years of service. Other assignments during his Air Force career included Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command, Air Force Director of Operational Requirements, and multiple commands at squadron, group and wing levels. He was a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board from 2009 through 2011. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Leaf was a command pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours, including F-15 and F-16 combat missions.

Fig’s Indo-Asia-Pacific experience includes his time at U. S. Pacific Command, a previous tour of duty at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, four years of duty assignments in both Korea and Japan, and temporary military duty across the region. As a civilian, he worked as a national exercise senior observer for USPACOM, and at Northrop Grumman gained industry experience with several Asia-Pacific customers.

His awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal.  Fig is the recipient of the Oslo Forum 2017 Peacewriter Prize.  Awarded by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), the inaugural Oslo Forum Peacewriter Prize was an essay competition seeking bold and innovative responses to today’s peacemaking challenges.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor and the Leadership Council of the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution.