Gina Cheri Walker Haspel is an American national security expert and former intelligence officer who served as the seventh Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from May 21, 2018, to January 20, 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the position on a permanent basis. Born on October 1, 1956, in Ashland, Kentucky, she graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1978 and began her career as a paralegal before joining the CIA in 1985. Over her 33-year tenure at the agency, she specialized in clandestine operations, with extensive experience in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and efforts to combat nuclear proliferation. Haspel held various field and headquarters roles, including postings in Europe and Asia, and was involved in high-profile operations during the post-9/11 era.

Her rise to leadership included serving as the CIA's deputy director from 2017 to 2018 under Mike Pompeo, after which she became acting director on April 26, 2018, following Pompeo's appointment as U.S. Secretary of State. Her nomination by President Donald Trump faced significant controversy due to her alleged role in the agency's enhanced interrogation program; as chief of a black site in Thailand in 2002, she oversaw the use of waterboarding on detainees, including Abu Zubaydah, and was involved in the destruction of interrogation tapes in 2005, which drew criticism for potential obstruction of justice. Despite opposition from human rights advocates and some senators, she was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote.

Throughout her career, Haspel was recognized for her operational expertise but criticized for her involvement in controversial CIA programs, including renditions and interrogations deemed torture by international standards. She received the George Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism in 2005 and the Donovan Award in 2017. Haspel retired from the CIA in 2021 and has since maintained a low public profile, though she remains a figure in discussions on U.S. intelligence ethics and national security policy.