Prior to Cornerstone, Mackenzie served as a Della Ratta Fellow at the Partnership for Global Security, conducting research on the intersection of nuclear energy, international commerce and security policy. Previously, she worked as an International Policy Analyst at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where she facilitated bilateral technical exchanges, processed export/import licenses and supported U.S. interagency coordination on nonproliferation and geopolitical issues.

Mackenzie holds an M.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Contemporary European Studies with minors in Journalism and International Conflict Management, from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.