Ms. Cecil joined ARPA-H as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2023 and assists the COO in the oversight of the business operations for the Agency including financial functions, acquisition activities, IT, personnel and administrative support, and risk assessment and risk management. Ms. Cecil also supervises the Assistant Directors, Program Management and Program Analysts who are responsible for the business functions and support program management within the Mission Offices.

Rebekah joined ARPA-H from NGA Research where she was Chief of Program Planning and Execution and was responsible for research program funding execution, oversight of internal business tools, business process development and training, and management of acquisition activities for Research. While there, she helped acquire new services, initiate new solicitations to increase competition and small business participation, and streamline internal business processes. Rebekah previously worked at DARPA as a contractor, primarily supporting the Defense Sciences Office and Biological Technologies Office. She has 19 years of experience in Federal R&D, a BA from Virginia Tech and a MA from Catholic University of America.