Our Story

Strategic Stabilization Advisors (SSA) is a trusted partner for navigating fragile and conflict-affected environments. We deliver evidence-based advisory rooted in decades of experience in stabilization, counterterrorism, and civil-military engagement. By blending global expertise with local insight, we help organizations - whether private companies, governments, or donors - manage risk, strengthen resilience, and operate effectively in complex settings.

Founded in 2021, SSA was created to bridge the gap between security actors and the communities they serve. Drawing on experience across the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and coastal West Africa, our founder, Aneliese Bernard, saw first-hand how organizations often lacked the right information and partnerships to engage effectively. SSA was built to change that - by equipping clients with context-driven analysis and trusted networks to achieve stabilization outcomes and maintain their license to operate in fragile markets.

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver strategies that combine rigorous analysis, ground-truth insights, and regional expertise. We design solutions that are culturally attuned, politically informed, and operationally practical. Our services span risk reporting and research, civilian planning and stabilization programming, and brokerage in key sectors.

SSA’s team includes former government officials, military leaders, and seasoned practitioners with experience across West and Central Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. With presence in the U.S., Europe, and Benin - and a trusted network of regional experts - we bring a global perspective anchored in local realities. The result: tailored strategies that help partners navigate risk, seize opportunities, and contribute to stability where it matters most.