Major General, U.S. Army Retired
Matthew Van Wagenen is a distinguished executive leader completing 35 years of unparalleled service, culminating in his role as a Major General in the U.S. Army. His career is defined by transformational leadership and the successful management of high-stakes, multinational operations across complex global environments. He has proven himself in combat.
In his last post as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)—the operational command of NATO—Matthew oversaw the execution of the organization's strategic vision, translating policy into successful military and security outcomes. In this role, his responsibilities are equivalent to an executive leading a massive, global enterprise:
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Integrated Management: Directing the daily operations across three continents for a combined force of 45,000 Allied personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations), with oversight of an additional 100,000 supporting service members.I
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Scale and Scope: This role requires the continuous optimization of personnel, technology, logistics, and intelligence assets to ensure operational effectiveness and security across the transatlantic region.
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With 19 years of service in Europe—one of the longest tenures among senior U.S. Army leaders—Matthew possesses unmatched geographic expertise in the European Command (EUCOM) and Transatlantic region. This experience provides a deep, practical understanding of international security dynamics, regional risk mitigation, and sophisticated stakeholder alignment.
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While serving as the Deputy Commander of U.S. V Corps, he successfully led deterrence operations across the Eastern Flank, demonstrating his capability to manage high-tension scenarios and secure critical assets through strategic partnership building.Complex Deterrence
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Operational Acumen: Deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Georgia complement his core warfighting experience, confirming his capacity to lead and adapt in diverse, high-threat environments and manage multifaceted security matters globally.
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​Matthew Van Wagenen is recognized as a transformational and people-first leader skilled at building high-performing, empowered teams and uniting diverse stakeholders. His methodology integrates operational excellence with a nuanced understanding of evolving threats, making him an expert in change management.
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Strategic Network Leverage: He utilizes a vast transatlantic network—developed over two decades—to align strategic objectives, counter competitive threats (e.g., Russian malign influence), and drive collective defense priorities across numerous governmental and non-governmental entities.
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Technology Integration: He brings extensive experience in the acquisition and rapid integration of emerging technologies from the academic, commercial, and defense sectors. He focuses on fielding resilient and forward-looking solutions to address evolving security challenges, including international terrorist groups and sophisticated cyber threats.
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Matthew holds a bachelor's degree from Marquette University and a master's in military science. He and his wife, Dr. Stefanie Van Wagenen, plan to reside in Europe, where he will continue his focus on high-impact problem-solving. He is committed to leveraging his strategic leadership, global network, and operational expertise to deliver resilient solutions that ensure stability and security across the Euro-Atlantic region.
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