Lisa M. Franchetti ’85

Vice admiral, US Navy

Vice Admiral Lisa Franchetti is an expert military tactician and strategist. One of about 20 female admirals in the US Navy, she assumed command of the US Navy’s 6th Fleet, based in Naples, Italy, in 2018. She also serves as commander of Striking and Support Forces NATO and the deputy commander of US Naval Forces Europe and US Naval Forces Africa.

Previously, Franchetti served as chief of staff of the strategy, plans, and policy directorate of the Joint Staff in Washington, DC. She was the first woman to serve as commander of US Naval Forces Korea, strengthening collective security efforts in the region from 2013 to 2015. Her many assignments ashore and at sea have included commanding the USS Ross—a guided missile destroyer—as well as Destroyer Squadron 21 and Carrier Strike Group 9, and leading Pacific Partnership 2010, a humanitarian mission to Southeast Asia. Franchetti joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program during her first year at Northwestern. She was also active on the University’s crew team.

Today, Franchetti is a member of Northwestern’s Council of One Hundred. She has also participated in the NU Club of Washington, DC. The Alumnae of Northwestern University presented her with the 2016 Alumnae Award, which recognizes an outstanding alumna who has made a significant impact in her field. She also has earned numerous awards for her military service, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Franchetti received a BS in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. She attended the Naval War College and holds an MA in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She and her husband, James Sievert, have a daughter, Isabel.