Nicole Zion specializes in Beltway positioning with security and defense audiences and Middle East affairs, with a focus on Abraham Accords countries. With more than a decade of experience across government, intelligence, and public affairs advisory, Nicole brings a nuanced understanding of global security dynamics and their intersection with business strategy to her role as a JOBTITLE% in APCO’s Washington office. She is known for facilitating complex discussions—on topics ranging from Red Sea shipping disruptions to cybersecurity resilience in critical manufacturing—and bridging perspectives across geographies, political ideologies and industries.
Nicole’s career has also included extensive work in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, including a year based in the United Arab Emirates facilitating relationships between government entities, international media and emerging technology experts, and advising on strategic initiatives in Saudi Arabia related to economic development and global positioning. Nicole takes an empathetic and collaborative approach that fosters trust, elevates performance, and delivers strategic counsel to help organizations navigate an evolving global security landscape.
Prior to joining APCO, Nicole worked at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she designed client engagements that strengthened the cyber resilience of critical infrastructure, particularly in the financial services sector and defense industrial base. She previously served as a national security analyst focused on humanitarian and sustainable development issues, with an emphasis on disruptive technologies affecting disaster relief, displaced populations and food security in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nicole holds a Master of Public Policy in International Security and Economic Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics with a minor in International Development and Conflict Management, both from the University of Maryland.
