Elise Brownback

Elise Gretchen Brownback (born August 23, 1966) is an American educator who served as the 25th United States Secretary of Defense from 2013 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Brownback previously served as the 8th United States Secretary of Education from 2002 to 2005.

Brownback is the first woman to serve as Secretary of Defense in U.S. history.