Richard J. Baum is Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, and he previously served as Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and Executive Director of the President’s Opioid Commission. Prior to his distinguished, almost three decades-long career at ONDCP, Baum was a Congressional staffer, NGO executive, and journalist. Baum's expertise has been sought after by policymakers and professionals alike. He has testified before Congress and served as a keynote speaker at national and international conferences focused on drugs, crime, and health. Raised in New York City, Baum currently lives in Falls Church, Virginia.