Board Member Profile: Michael Hurley
Michael’s dedication to the VDP underscores his legacy of service and gratitude.
Meet Michael Hurley, a man whose journey ranges from the heartland of Minnesota to conflict zones around the globe and the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
Raised in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina, Michael attended the University of Minnesota where he majored in Political Science and Modern European Diplomatic History. But it was his summers spent traversing Europe with his older brother and encouragement from his history professor and mentor that ignited a passion for foreign cultures and international affairs, setting the stage for a career that would span continents and connect him to major events in the late 20th Century and beginning of the Millennium.
Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School, Michael practiced law for two years but then found himself at a crossroads. Motivated by a sense of adventure and a desire to serve his country internationally, Michael considered career paths such as a diplomat in the U.S. State Department, an FBI Special Agent, or CIA operations officer. After passing the foreign service exam and receiving job offers from all three, Michael accepted a position at the Central Intelligence Agency—a decision that would define the next quarter-century of his life.
The first chapter of his CIA career unfolded in Western Europe, where Michael operated from U.S. Embassies in glamorous foreign capitals, navigating diplomatic waters and gaining invaluable insights into European affairs. But it was the second act, after senior management jobs at CIA Headquarters in Washington, where Michael's story took on a more intense hue. Dispatched to conflict zones in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and beyond, he immersed himself in the heart of international crises, contributing to peacekeeping efforts and strategic operations.
His journey wasn't confined to the shadows of espionage; Michael's expertise saw him summoned to the White House, where, as a Director on the National Security Council staff, he advised the President and helped fashion policy for the Balkans and devised and coordinated the hunt for persons indicted for war crimes.
On September 11, 2001, Michael was serving as a senior manager at CIA headquarters. That day CIA sent nearly all its personnel home, as CIA leaders thought the Agency itself would likely be a target of the terrorists. Michael was one of a small number of officers who was asked to remain. Michael understood the world had changed and the United States was at war. The same afternoon, he volunteered to lead a team to Afghanistan.
Later that fall, he found himself on the front lines in Afghanistan, leading a team against al Qaeda and the Taliban, and as a leader in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, shaping pivotal moments in the War on Terror. He stayed 18 months at the ‘pointed-end-of-the-spear’ in Afghanistan.
In spring 2003, his return to the U.S. wasn't a quiet retreat but a call to duty of a different kind: He was asked to serve on the newly-formed 9/11 Commission. Tasked with investigating the 9/11 attacks, Michael delved deep into the complex web of policy failures and systemic shortcomings, obtaining testimony from the highest-level officials of the U.S. Government, and with his colleagues charted a path forward to safeguard the nation.
Following his tour in Afghanistan, Michael became a counterterrorism adviser to the Secretary of State.
Throughout his career, and in the most dangerous hotspots in the world, Michael worked side-by-side on the ground with United States elite forces: Delta Force, Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, and Marine Force Recon. In those deployments, as well as his policy interaction with the highest levels of the Pentagon, Michael developed a profound admiration for the U.S. military and its dedicated servicemen and women.
His passion for service found a new avenue when he reconnected with his friend Hank Shea who introduced him to the Veteran’s Defense Project (VDP). Here, his experience and commitment find purpose in supporting those who have served our nation.
Whether forging connections in Washington, mobilizing resources in corporate circles, or helping to secure vital funding for initiatives to expand the VDP reach, Michael’s dedication underscores his legacy of service and gratitude. Michael firmly believes expanding Minnesota’s VRJA and the national model Veterans Justice Act (VJA) are pivotal in recognizing the unique challenges faced by veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system—that this mission isn't just about legal reforms. It is a testament to our commitment to those who have served our country and protected all of us.
Authored by VDP Summer Law Clerk Olivia Bradford, who is a third-year student at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.
