Theresa Durham
Chief Security, Safety and Risk Officer
National Press Club

Theresa Durham is a security executive and former law enforcement officer with more than 26 years of experience leading national and international safety and security programs, investigations, and crisis management operations across the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Chief Security, Safety and Risk Officer for the National Press Club, where she oversees enterprise-wide security strategy, crisis management, emergency preparedness, and organizational resilience initiatives for one of the most notable institutions in Washington, DC. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining a secure environment that routinely hosts high-level U.S. and international dignitaries, senior government officials, elected leaders, corporate executives, journalists, and other prominent public figures. Prior to her corporate security leadership career, Theresa served for 26 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as a Special Victims Detective, championing survivors and amplifying unheard voices. She expanded her impact by building a multi-million-dollar security firm focused on human-centered security solutions for vulnerable communities. Internationally, she served as a Security Specialist with the United States Institute of Peace, where her work focused on the safety and security of marginalized populations in high-threat locations.