HONOLULU –The Department of Defense has approved the selection of retired US Army Maj. Gen. Suzanne (Suzy) Puanani Vares-Lum as director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), a Department of Defense organization dedicated to advancing security cooperation in the region.

Vares-Lum was born and raised in Hawaiʻi and is an alumna of the Center’s Transnational Security Cooperation course (TSC16-2). She is the first native Hawaiian and the first alumni to serve as the Center’s director.

She comes to the Center after serving as President of the East-West Center since 2022.

As a retired major general with 34 years of service, Vares-Lum has held key roles addressing priority national security challenges in the region. She brings a wealth of executive leadership experience, including five years serving with and advising the senior officials at US Indo-Pacific Command, where she cultivated and supported key relationships with nations throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Other previous assignments include Chief of Staff Hawaii National Guard; Vice Chief of Staff and J2 Hawaii National Guard; 298th Multifunctional Training Unit Regimental Commander; G-2, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade; 229th Military Intelligence Company Commander; 29th Support Battalion S-2; 103rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division HHSC Executive Officer; Trailblazer Platoon Leader, 103rd (CEWI) Military Intelligence Battalion, 3rd ID; 3rd ID Division Artillery Fire Support Intelligence Officer, and 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Public Affairs Officer.

Vares-Lum was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III from August 2004 to March 2006. As the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade G-2, she established and led the Joint Intelligence Center in Balad, Iraq.

Active in the local Hawai’i community, Vares-Lum serves on a number of boards including the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, and the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. She is a current member of the U.S.-Japan Council and served on committees that promote Hawai‘i’s economic diversification, workforce development, and community dialogues on issues of land and water.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and her Master of Education in Teaching from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As a graduate of the US Army War College, she earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree in 2011. In 2019, she became a National Security Fellow of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She is also a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow.

In addition to her military awards, which includes the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal, she is the recipient of the 2024 University of Hawai‘i Journalism Program Distinguished Alumni Award, 2023 Pacific Buddhist Academy Lighting Our Way Honoree, 2023 Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i Women of Distinction Award, and a 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award.

“Leading the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a profound honor, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me,” said Vares-Lum. “Embracing the spirit of Aloha, I am eager to collaborate with the incredible team, supporters, and stakeholders. As we navigate this journey, I am committed to fostering a culture of innovation, unity, and shared purpose as we partner to address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region through education, connection, and empowerment.”

Once she arrives in at the Center, Vares-Lum will replace Russell Bailey who served as the acting director of DKI APCSS since July 2024.  Bailey will return to his position as deputy director. Acting Deputy Director Dr. Lori Forman will return to her role as the Center’s Development Advisor.

Vares-Lum is expected to begin her tenure as director in January 2025.

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