Eleonora Russell is a strategic communications advisor with a focus on defense and resilience.

From 2021 until January 2025, Russell was the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Advisor of the NATO Military Committee, the Alliance’s highest military authority. Here she advised on communication strategy and message alignment across member states. Her work strengthened cohesion and clarity in NATO’s messaging at a time of great political and military challenges for the Alliance. Eleonora helped build public support for major investments in defence as well as for strengthening societal resilience and international cooperation.

From 2017 to 2021, Eleonora served as Senior Speechwriter at the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, where she crafted speeches, editorials and essays for the Minister of Defence, the State Secretary and the Chief of Defence. Before this, Russell worked as a Speechwriter to the President of the Dutch Senate. Eleonora Russell is the co-author of If You Want Peace, Prepare for War, written with Admiral (ret.) Rob Bauer, former Chair of the NATO Military Committee. Her speechwriting has earned international recognition, including the prestigious Grand Cicero Award. Her work as a communications advisor was awarded with the NATO Meritorious Service Medal and the Decoration of Merit in gold of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.