Lisa Franchetti

Lisa Marie Franchetti (born April 25, 1964) is a United States Navy admiral who has been the 33rd chief of naval operations, and due to having that position, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, since November 2, 2023. She is the first woman to be chief of naval operations, and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Before this she most recently served as the 42nd vice chief of naval operations from September 2022 to November 2023 and as acting chief of naval operations (CNO) from August to November 2023.

A surface warfare officer, Franchetti previously served as director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff (J5) from 2020 to 2022, the second deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development in 2020, and commander of the United States Sixth Fleet from 2018 to 2020. She has also commanded carrier strike groups and U.S. Naval Forces Korea during her career. She was the second woman promoted to four-star admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life
Franchetti was born on April 25, 1964 in Rochester, New York. She studied at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois, being awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and earning departmental honors in history. While at Northwestern, she joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and was commissioned in 1985.

Further education
Franchetti has attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and holds a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

Navy career
Franchetti's operational career includes: auxiliaries officer and first division officer on USS Shenandoah (AD-44); navigator and jumboization coordinator on USS Monongahela (AO-178); operations officer on USS Moosbrugger (DD-980); combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2; executive officer of USS Stout (DDG-55); and assistant surface operations officer on USS George Washington (CVN-73) Strike Group. She commanded USS Ross (DDG-71), and Destroyer Squadron 21 embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). She also served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH-19).

Franchetti's shoreside career has included: commander, United States Naval Reserve Center Central Point, Oregon; aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; protocol officer for the Commander, United States Atlantic Fleet; 4th Battalion officer at the United States Naval Academy; division chief, Joint Concept Development and Experimentation, on the Joint Staff, J7; deputy director of International Engagement and executive assistant to N3/N5 on the Navy staff; and military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.

Since promotion to flag rank, Franchetti has held appointments as: commander, United States Naval Forces Korea; commander Carrier Strike Group 9; commander, Carrier Strike Group 15; and chief of staff, Joint Staff, J-5, Strategy, Plans and Policy; and Commander, United States Sixth Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, United States Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander United States Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander.

During her time as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, based in Italy, Franchetti oversaw the first-ever use of Tomahawk missiles launched by a Virginia-class submarine. The missiles were fired from USS John Warner at targets in Syria.

On 6 May 2020, Franchetti was nominated as deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting development (OPNAV N7), while keeping her other roles.

In April 2022, Franchetti was nominated for promotion to admiral and appointment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The Senate confirmed her promotion in May 2022. She assumed the position on 2 September 2022.

On 21 July 2023, President Biden nominated her to replace Michael M. Gilday as chief of naval operations (CNO). On 14 August 2023, upon Gilday's retirement, Franchetti became acting CNO.

Franchetti was confirmed by the Senate to become the CNO on November 2, 2023, and was sworn in on the same day, becoming the first female CNO and, due to having that position, the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Personal life
Franchetti is married. She is a mother. She enjoys running for relaxation and exercise.