Dina Powell McCormick, born Dina Habib on June 12, 1973, in Cairo, Egypt, is a distinguished American financial executive, philanthropist, and political advisor whose career spans the highest echelons of government, finance, and global diplomacy. Best known for her role as the United States Deputy National Advisor for Strategy under President Donald Trump, Powell McCormick has built a reputation as a powerhouse in both public service and private enterprise. A first-generation Egyptian-American, her journey from an immigrant child to a key player in American politics and Wall Street embodies the quintessential American Dream. As of March 31, 2025, she continues to influence policy and business as Vice Chairman and President of Global Client Services at BDT & MSD Partners, while also serving on the ExxonMobil Board of Directors.
Early Life and Immigration to America
Dina Powell McCormick was born into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo, Egypt. Her father, an Egyptian Army captain, and her mother dreamed of a brighter future for their children, prompting the family to immigrate to the United States in 1977 when Dina was just four years old. They settled in Dallas, Texas, where relatives already lived, and her parents took on multiple jobs to provide for their daughters. Her father transitioned from military service to real estate, while her mother worked as a social worker and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, becoming a respected psychologist. Growing up, Dina retained her Arabic fluency and Egyptian heritage while mastering English, a duality that would later shape her global perspective.
Powell McCormick attended the Ursuline Academy of Dallas, an all-girls Catholic school, where she excelled academically. She went on to the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with honors from the College of Liberal Arts. There, she studied sociology, political science, criminology, and humanities, while working as a legislative assistant to fund her education. Her early exposure to politics during this time sparked a lifelong commitment to public service and Republican ideals.
Political Career Under George W. Bush
Powell McCormick’s political career took off in the early 2000s during the George W. Bush administration. She began as a congressional staffer in Texas, leveraging her conservative roots and bilingual skills to climb the ranks. By age 27, she joined the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel, eventually rising to Assistant to the President—the youngest person to hold that role. In this capacity, she advised President Bush on appointments across the federal government, earning praise for her sharp intellect and meticulous approach.
In 2005, she was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, overseeing programs like the Fulbright Scholarship and forging international partnerships with corporations and governments. She also served as Deputy Undersecretary of State for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, traveling globally to promote American values and counter anti-American sentiment post-9/11. Her tenure in the Bush administration solidified her reputation as a skilled diplomat and strategist, setting the stage for her future roles.
Transition to Goldman Sachs
In 2007, Powell McCormick left government to join Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s leading investment banks, as a managing director. Within three years, she was named a partner—a testament to her rapid ascent in the financial world. She took on leadership roles, including President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, where she spearheaded initiatives like 10,000 Women and 10,000 Small Businesses, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs globally. Later, she became Global Head of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth, overseeing a $750 billion investment strategy focused on climate finance and economic development. She also led the firm’s Sovereign Business, strengthening ties with Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, notably playing a key role in the 2019 Saudi Aramco IPO.
Her 16-year tenure at Goldman Sachs was interrupted briefly in 2017 when she returned to public service, but she rejoined the firm in 2018 as a partner in the Investment Banking Division, serving on the Management Committee and the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee. Her work bridged finance and geopolitics, earning her recognition as a critical link between Wall Street and global power centers.
Trump Administration and National Security Role
In 2017, Powell McCormick was tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, a role she held until January 2018. Working alongside National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, she shaped the administration’s foreign policy, with a particular focus on Middle East strategy. Her prior relationships with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner—who she advised informally during the campaign—facilitated her entry into the administration. Known as “Ivanka’s woman in the White House,” she navigated complex diplomatic challenges, including U.S.-Saudi relations, before returning to Goldman Sachs.
Move to BDT & MSD Partners and ExxonMobil
In May 2023, Powell McCormick departed Goldman Sachs to join BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank backed by Michael Dell and founded by former Goldman bankers. As Vice Chairman and President of Global Client Services, she leverages her extensive network to deepen client relationships worldwide. Her expertise in sustainability and geopolitics also led to her election to ExxonMobil’s Board of Directors in November 2023, effective January 2024, where she advises on energy strategy and shareholder value in a transitioning global market.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Powell McCormick’s personal life reflects her professional dynamism. She married Richard C. Powell, a public relations executive, in 1998, with whom she has two daughters. The couple divorced in 2017, and in 2019, she wed David McCormick, a financier and former Bridgewater Associates CEO who was elected U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania in 2024. Together, they have six children from their blended family and co-authored Who Believed in You? How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World (2025), a book advocating for mentorship based on their experiences raising teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A committed philanthropist, Powell McCormick chairs the Robin Hood Foundation, serves as a trustee for the National Geographic Society and Lincoln Center, and sits on boards for Mount Sinai Hospital and the Atlantic Council. She remains a non-resident Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, influencing future leaders in diplomacy.
Legacy and Influence
As of March 31, 2025, Dina Powell McCormick stands as a towering figure in American finance, politics, and philanthropy. Her immigrant roots, coupled with her achievements in the Bush and Trump administrations, Goldman Sachs, and beyond, highlight her versatility and resilience. Married to a U.S. Senator and raising a large family, she balances personal and professional demands while shaping policy and business on a global scale. For Americans, her story is one of ambition, service, and the transformative power of opportunity.