Holly Trask
Holly Trask is a seasoned federal investigator with over 22 years of experience with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, currently serving as a law enforcement attaché in West African countries. In this role, she is embedded in U.S. consulates and embassies, where her work focuses on liaison, diplomacy, and navigating complex international legal frameworks. Holly collaborates closely with foreign government partners to resolve law enforcement matters, address cross-border crime, and advance joint initiatives that benefit both the United States and partner nations. Her day-to-day responsibilities involve building trust, understanding diverse cultural perspectives, and guiding partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes while maintaining compliance with legal protocols. She also dedicates significant time to teaching and mentoring, providing instruction to both foreign partners and internal colleagues on casework procedures, intelligence gathering, and legal investigative practices.
Inspired to join the FBI in the aftermath of 9/11, Holly was motivated by a desire to counter global threats and contribute to preventative security measures. Her academic background, including a Ph.D. candidacy in Criminal Justice with a focus on Global Leadership, a Master’s in Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Master’s in International Relations & National Security Studies from New York University, complements her law enforcement career. This combination of education and field experience enables her to leverage policy knowledge, international relations, and investigative expertise to advance complex international casework and foster cooperation across borders.
Beyond her professional commitments, Holly demonstrates leadership and service in her community. She has served as a Cubmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and actively participates in the East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her strengths lie in management, leadership, analytical skills, and mentoring, as well as a passion for volunteerism, international collaboration, and continuous learning. Outside of work, Holly practices martial arts, engages deeply with her family, and brings a globally minded perspective and dedication to every endeavor she undertakes.
• PhD in Criminal Justice (expected 2027)
• Carnegie Mellon University - BA, Psych
• New York University - MSc, international relations and national securities studies
• Carnegie Mellon University - MS, Policy & Management
• Walden University - PhD
• Boy Scout Troop (volunteer involvement)
• Boy Scout Troop Volunteer
• Special Needs Advocacy and Support
• Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America
• East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to patience and perseverance. I keep a paper planner and write down everything I need to get done within a week, trying to prioritize the deadlines. I try to work toward things little by little, taking the edge off piece by piece. Sometimes you have to break things down, and sometimes you have to be patient with other people because they may not work the same way and may have other layers of bureaucracy above and beyond the U.S. government that we have to work through. One thing I really aspire to is not letting an initial no be a forever no. Sometimes when somebody puts up a barrier, I'm often challenged by it, and then I want to figure out why are we letting that stop us.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to communicate clearly and timely, and not to ignore requests. I work with a lot of different types of people, and communication is one of the most important things, even in law enforcement. Ghosting somebody and not responding doesn't get you anywhere. Even if you cannot provide a positive answer, responding and saying that you need more time or explaining your barriers, being honest about it, is crucial. Honest and clear communication is key.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First of all, know what your goals are and know why you want them. It's not just a title. Understand that if you want to do this job, that you're interested in the type of work. Don't be intimidated by people that are going to try to put barriers in your way. A lot of people put barriers up in front of you to accomplish a task for a variety of reasons, and it may be their personal issues. But be clear about what you want to do and why, and go for it. Don't let somebody else try to block you. Law enforcement is still a very male-centric profession, and sometimes feelings are not the highest thing on somebody's category when they're communicating and making decisions. But persevere. Know what you want, go after it, and be flexible too. Right now, the hiring environment in the government is not what it used to be. Sometimes people want to work for certain agencies and they have their heart set on that, and that's the only thing they want. I encourage young women to look around and keep your options open. Sometimes your best way to achieving a goal by getting a job with a certain agency is to go somewhere else first. You can't give up and be so singularly focused on one thing. You have to know what your passions are, but that there's more than one way to achieve them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is timeliness. A lot of times, if there's a crime committed, whether it's a kidnapping or somebody got defrauded, we have a lot of elder fraud with people that are 60-plus or 70-plus being brought into this dream scenario where they're going to get money. It has to be time-sensitive. We have to get people to respond to a request or a law enforcement subpoena in a timely manner, otherwise, over time, the criminals get away. You have to get to somebody while it's urgent and help people to see why it's important.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is most important to me, or honesty slash integrity. I believe in being upfront with somebody. Obviously, in my line of work, I have to be careful not to be overly honest, especially when we're working with subjects or perpetrators. You know, there's only so much that you can communicate and what you can't, so understanding what you can communicate is important. I'm also safety-focused, so being safety-focused is a key value. And perseverance is critical. I mean, if you're working a long-term case or you're trying to do a presentation for somebody, don't lose sight of the goal.