Matthew T. Halek

Matthew Halek is a public servant and national security leader who served as a Special Advisor for Innovation in the Pentagon. Working at the intersection of defense, technology, and congressional politics, he was the chief legislative strategist for department-wide efforts to catalyze American innovation in support of US national security, for which he earned the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. 

Upon returning to Chicagoland, Halek is now a strategic advisor with P33. Committed to inspiring more young people to pursue careers in public service, he teaches a course on technology and national security at the University of Chicago. 

Previously, Halek was a Democratic aide on the US Senate Judiciary Committee, where he advocated for stronger laws to protect our communities from gun violence and hate crimes. A fourth-generation Illinoisan and proud Chicago native, Halek began his career in the Obama White House. 

Halek holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA from DePaul University. Born in Chicago and raised in McHenry County, he resides in the northern suburbs with his wife and daughters.