Sarah M. Beran

Sarah Beran leads the China practice and is a partner at Macro Advisory Partners, a geopolitical risk and strategic advisory firm. Prior to joining MAP in September 2025, she had a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, most recently serving as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and as senior director for China and Taiwan affairs at the White House National Security Council under President Biden. During her time at the State Department, Beran also served as deputy executive secretary for the Indo-Pacific, led the office responsible for U.S. engagement in APEC and led the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs. She was posted overseas in Beijing, Islamabad, Jerusalem, Tunis and Quito. She speaks Mandarin, Spanish and Arabic. Beran is a senior fellow at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center, a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and a member of the Asia Society’s Task Force on U.S.-China Policy.