Simona Cojocaru has served within the Romanian Ministry of National Defense for over 28 years and currently holds the position of Director of the Defense Policy Directorate. From November 2019 to April 2025, she served as the State Secretary for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations as the first woman to hold this office and its longest-serving occupant. In recognition of her distinguished service, Ms. Cojocaru has received numerous national and international decorations, including: Order of the Star of Romania, Knight Rank (2021), Order of Merit, Knight Rank (2016), Merit Emblem "In the service of the Romanian Armed Forces", 3rd Class (2014), "Honor of the Romanian Military" Emblem (2014), Ordre National du Mérite (awarded by the President of France, 2022), Medal for Exceptional Public Service (awarded by the US Department of Defense, 2023), Order of Honor (awarded by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, 2024), Order of Merit, 3rd Class (awarded by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, 2024), Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2025). Ms. Cojocaru holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (International Economic Relations) from the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, and a Master's degree in International Relations and European Integration from the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.