Program

Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald Defense Strategy, Policy, and Technology

Ryan Fitzgerald has over two decades of experience in national security and defense and is a recognized expert in robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) technology development, strategy, and policy. She has held various positions in the Department of Navy, playing key roles in development and assessment of RAS, such as the MQ-25, small unmanned surface vessels, and other emergent capabilities for the DON. She’s led and participated in the development of strategies and roadmaps for RAS in the DON. She is currently the Deputy Chief Engineer for the Direct Report Program Manager for RAS in the DON. Before that, she was a lead program analyst in the Department of Navy Office of Strategic Assessment and was awarded the Civilian Meritorious Service Award for her work. Ryan also worked at MITRE, an FFRDC, as the naval autonomy outcome lead and chief engineer for its Expeditionary Department (2019–2024). Ryan holds a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering and an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from MIT. Guiding conversations that shape the future of defense strategy, policy, and technology. Ryan Fitzgerald | Defense Strategy, Policy & Technology is a professional speaking and conference moderation company founded in 2025. Ryan has moderated conferences ranging from small domestic forums to large international events, such as the NATO International Concept Development and Experimentation Conference (2022–2024). She has been an invited guest on the Onward podcast, delivered a TedxDAU talk, and spoken at Under Armour on women in STEM. Ryan’s views are her personal views and not necessarily those of the Department of Navy or its components.

Emil Michael

Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and Department of War Chief Technology Officer

U.S. Department of War

Mr. Emil Michael serves as the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)) and Chief Technology Officer for the Department of War(DoW), spearheading the Department’s efforts to ensure U.S. military technological superiority and keep the DoW at the forefront of innovation. In this critical role, he provides strategic direction and oversight for the DoW’s entire research, development, and prototyping enterprise, including direct oversight of organizations such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Prior to his appointment as USW(R&E), Mr. Michael distinguished himself as a White House Fellow, serving as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. In that role, he managed key projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan and oversaw the ‘tooth-to-tail’ reform effort aimed at reducing overhead and bureaucracy to provide resources to our warfighters. His contributions earned him the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service. After his initial tenure in the Department, Mr. Michael served on the Defense Business Board (DBB), where he drew on his vast private-sector experience to introduce commercial best practices into the department's operational framework. In this role, he helped craft policy recommendations that modernized procurement processes, optimized resource management, fostered a culture of agile decision-making, and facilitated closer collaboration between industry and the Department. Beyond his government service, Mr. Michael has developed significant business experience in the private sector. He has helped build several successful companies, including D-Wave Systems, Tellme Networks, and Uber Technologies. Mr. Michael has a proven track record of anticipating technology shifts and identifying companies ripe for hyperscale, with investments spanning a broad range of companies across AI, financial technology, quantum computing, and consumer logistics. During his tenure as Chief Business Officer at Uber from 2013 to 2017, he created global partnerships, drove over $20 billion in capital-raising initiatives, and helped orchestrate strategic mergers and acquisitions. He launched the UberMilitary initiative to support military families during relocations, demonstrating an ability to translate commercial success into meaningful support for the defense community. He also helped drive the creation of Uber’s Advanced Technology Group, which was Uber’s primary initiative to develop self-driving car technology. By blending his private sector insights with the unique imperatives of national defense, Mr. Michael aims to accelerate the transition of breakthrough technologies from prototype to operational reality, ensuring that the U.S. military maintains its technological edge. As a first-generation immigrant to the United States, Mr. Michael’s journey embodies the American dream. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and a J.D. with honors from Stanford Law School. He has the great honor of being selected by President Donald J. Trump to serve in his second administration in support of Secretary of War Hegseth and Deputy Secretary of War Feinberg, a decision that underscores the high confidence in his visionary leadership and his ability to advance America's defense capabilities.

David Klein

Director of Research, Analytics & Applied AI

AUVSI

David serves as the Associate Director of Research at AUVSI, the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the uncrewed systems and robotics community. With a foundation in mechanical engineering, his journey in this field began with the design and development of autonomous underwater vehicles as a student. This experience launched a 15-year career as a research analyst, during which he gathered, analyzed, and reported on technical and market data to support the growth of the uncrewed systems industry. In his current role, he leads a team of analysts and associates in building a comprehensive data ecosystem at AUVSI. Some focus areas for future developments involve the integration of emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, large language models, and advanced data visualization to deliver deeper insights and drive innovation across the sector.

Frank Kendall

Author, former Secretary of the Air Force and former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

Frank Kendall is the author of the new book Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether We Like It or Not (Knox Press). He is a former Secretary of the Air Force and former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. He previously served as the Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Tactical Warfare Programs. He led the Air Force and Space Force response to the growing threat of China’s military modernization program. Outside of government, Frank has served as the Vice President of Engineering for Raytheon and as a member of the board of directors of Leidos. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He has worked on a pro bono basis as a human rights lawyer and is an avid ocean racing sailor. He is a graduate of West Point with advanced degrees from the California Institute of Technology, Long Island University, and Georgetown University Law Center. Frank has received the Defense Distinguished Public Service Award from five Secretaries of Defense and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award as a member of the Senior Executive Service. • https://www.frankkendall.net/

Erin McPike

Head of Tech

FTI Consulting Strategic Communications

Erin McPike is the Americas Head of FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications Tech industry sector. Throughout her career she’s worked closely with U.S. presidential candidates, Fortune 500 CEOs and other high-profile principals on long-term strategy and positioning, crisis and reputation management, media training and debate prep. She has pitched, landed, and managed successful TV interviews from cable news to the Today Show and 60 Minutes. Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Ms. McPike worked in public affairs for Meta Platforms, where she served in a high-profile role directing global media strategies, including guiding the business through high-profile crises, managing executive media engagement, and handling external communications at one of the world’s most visible technology companies. While there, she managed a 60 Minutes investigation and led prep for the executive who participated in an interview. Additionally, Ms. McPike was a National Spokesperson on the Mike Bloomberg 2020 campaign and served as the top strategist to his partner, Diana Taylor. She worked with Ms. Taylor to develop her platform and launched her public presence with a major speech and multiple high-stakes interviews. Previously she coached former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and his family on major interviews and led debate prep for a U.S. senator running for president. Earlier in her career, Ms. McPike was a broadcast TV journalist and covered major stories for CNN as a Washington-based national correspondent, and for NBC News, Reuters, National Journal and RealClearPolitics. As a print reporter, she appeared across all the major TV networks hundreds of times. Ms. McPike holds a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from American University and an M.B.A. from MIT.

George Dougherty

Author, Colonel (ret)

US Air Force

George M. Dougherty is a recently retired Air Force colonel with over 30 years of service in development and acquisition. He is the author of Beast in the Machine: How Robotics and AI Will Transform Warfare and the Future of Human Conflict, and many peer-reviewed articles on accelerating disruptive military innovation and advancing future doctrine. He co-authored the Air Force’s current Science and Technology Strategy. His 2019 article “Ground Combat Overmatch Through Control of the Atmospheric Littoral” first predicted the emergence of the air littoral and its dominance of ground combat we currently see in Ukraine. Until June 2026 he served as the Director of Innovation for the Department of the Air Force’s Program Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management, building the future of AI-enabled joint command and control. A reservist, he also served as an executive in two international management consulting firms helping high-tech and life sciences companies to accelerate product development and navigate strategic change. He has given invited talks on future autonomous weapon systems and warfighting doctrine at the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence and Maneuver Warfighter Conference, and to the Navy’s unmanned systems community. He holds a PhD in engineering from the University of California-Berkeley and an MBA from Cornell University.

Todd Graetz

Founder & CEO

Aerolane

Todd is co-founder and CEO of Aerolane. Previously, Todd co-founded BNSF Railway’s UAS Program and led the FAA’s Pathfinder 3 (BVLOS) Program. He currently serves as member of the FAA Advanced Aviation Committee (previously the Drone Advisory Committee), was flight rules co-chair for the BVLOS Advisory and Rulemaking Committee and serves on the Board of Directors AUVSI. Todd is also an active private pilot.

Jana del-Cerro

Partner

DLA Piper LLP

Maria Alejandra (Jana) del-Cerro advises clients on US regulation of outbound trade, including US export controls. Jana works with clients across a broad range of industries, from traditional aerospace and defense manufacturers and multi-national software companies to start-ups in the technology sector. She regularly represents them before the Department of State, Commerce, and Treasury in response to government inquiries, internal reviews, and compliance investigations and voluntary disclosures. Jana previously served as a senior regulatory analyst in the Regulatory and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls' (DDTC) policy office. She works with US and non-US clients on all aspects of export compliance counseling, developing compliance programs, completing commodity jurisdiction and classification analysis, conducting export trainings, and performing merger and acquisition due diligence and coordinating related regulatory submissions.

Riley Reese

CEO

Arris Composites

Riley Reese is CEO and Co-Founder of ARRIS Composites, a vertically integrated manufacturer producing everything from composite materials to tooling to finished parts. ARRIS has shipped more than two million composite structures across footwear, cycling, aerospace, and defense, where it's building parts for drone dominance and CCA programs. He's a recovering 3D printing guy: started during his grad work at Cal and ended co-founding Arevo, a 3D printing composite company.

Matt George

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Merlin, Inc.

Matt George is the CEO and co-founder of Merlin, the aviation technology company developing the world’s most capable pilot to advance the future of automated flight. Before Merlin, Matt was the CEO and founder of venture-backed startup Bridj. He also worked in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, where he supported presidential initiatives with a particular focus on healthcare and data analytics. In addition to Matt’s startup work, Matt has served as the technology chair for Boston’s 2024 Olympic bid.

Doug Horn

Vice President

Clairvest

Doug Horn is a Managing Director at Clairvest Group, where he leads the firm’s aerospace and defense investing. Clairvest is a private equity firm with more than $4 billion in assets under management, partnering with mid-sized companies to accelerate growth through organic initiatives, acquisitions, and investments in new capabilities and infrastructure. Doug has extensive experience investing across the aerospace and defense sector, with particular experience in unmanned and autonomous systems, C5ISR, defense technology integration, training and simulation, and mission-critical services. Doug leads Clairvest’s investment in NexTech Solutions, a U.S. defense technology company supporting Department of Defense and other U.S. Government customers. Since Clairvest’s investment, NTS has expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of BOOMSLANG Aerospace, a developer of advanced UAS and Counter-UAS technologies. The acquisition expanded NTS’s capabilities across unmanned aerial systems, detection and defeat, and airborne mission sets. Doug’s broader defense experience includes working with companies supporting both classified and non-classified missions and navigating the regulatory, security, and cross-border considerations unique to the sector. Prior to Clairvest, Doug worked at TD Bank, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate financings. Earlier in his career, he was a Commodities Analyst at CPM Group in New York, advising corporations and intergovernmental organizations on strategic metals and geopolitical issues. Doug holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Global Affairs from New York University, and a BA from McGill University.

Kelly Harrison

Founder

Mindfully Crafted Solutions

Kelly Harrison is an award-winning helicopter pilot, retired Navy Commander, and executive and culture coach. She founded Mindfully Crafted Solutions to support startup leaders as they transition their team's primary focus from technology innovation to customer delivery so they can scale effectively and continue making the desired impact. She collaborates with executive teams to design and implement deliberate change efforts to move the members of the business forward together. She honed her collaborative leadership style in many high-stakes leadership positions during her 21 years in the Navy, in a defense technology startup, and in the boardroom. She is most excited by the positive impact she is trusted to co-create, especially as it begins to take shape in the first few meetings with an organization's leadership team. Kelly has a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School (Indiana University), a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy and Policy from National Defense University's Eisenhower School, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. Kelly enjoys volunteering to lead campouts for her daughter's Junior Troop (Girl Scouts of America) and spending time with her family.

Gene Moran

President

Capitol Integration

Gene Moran founded and runs Capitol Integration, a strategic advisory firm that positions defense and technology companies in Washington, DC. His approach centers on a simple, often-overlooked truth: government deals are funded, not sold. That approach has delivered billions in funding and policy outcomes for clients, implemented by Congress and the Executive Branch, and earned Capitol Integration recognition six times as a top-performing lobbying firm by Bloomberg Government. Moran is also designated a Top Lobbyist and Consultant of the Year. Before founding the firm, Moran served in corporate Government Relations, and spent 25 years in the U.S. Navy, including sea command of USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58) and USS LABOON (DDG 58). He has conducted global congressional travel with leaders of all four defense committees. He holds a PhD in Public Policy, teaches at Florida State University, and is a best-selling author whose books are used in academic programs nationwide.

Kate Robb

President

Crowell GovCon Strategies

Kate leads Crowell GovCon Strategies, where she advises and guides businesses of all sizes through the complexities of federal acquisition, supporting strategy development, pursuit, and execution of government contracts. With nearly two decades of service as a senior contracting officer at the U.S. governmentʼs largest buying commands, where she oversaw more than $30 billion in total contract awards, Kate is an established authority on shipbuilding, negotiation, procurement strategies, major systems acquisition, regulatory compliance, business operations, industrial base sustainment, and project management. Prior to leading Crowell GovCon Strategies, Kate founded Crown Spire, a defense consulting practice.

Kate Käufer

President

KMK Global Strategies

Kate Käufer is the President and Founder of KMK Global Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm providing tailored business advice, corporate strategy and practical solutions to complex national security challenges. Käufer advises select clients on operating within the U.S. Government national security enterprise; prioritizing investments and resource allocations; as well as provides unbiased and independent program and investment assessments. Ms. Käufer retired from the Federal Government in December 2024 after more than 23 years of service, most recently as the Majority Clerk for the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee. In that role, she led the Committee’s work with Senators from both parties on all matters pertaining to the review, oversight, legislative enactment, and execution of defense and intelligence budgets. Käufer joined the Committee in December 2004 and served for 18 years as a Majority Professional Staff Member under multiple Chairmen of both political parties as the lead analyst for a variety of programs of the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Kate grew up in Germany and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1998 after receiving an MA in German Linguistics with minors in Political Science and U.S. History from the University of Cologne. She continued her education by completing a MA in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, concentrating on National Defense budgeting, the congressional budget process and transnational security issues. As an Adjunct Assistant Professor, she teaches a course on “Budgeting for U.S. National Defense” at the Center for Security Studies in Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Kate is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Army Distinguished Public Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Secretary of the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award.

Chris O’Donnell

Consultant

O2 Defense LLC

Mr. O'Donnell retired as the DASD Platform and Weapons Portfolio Management in 2023 and has been consulting to government and industry since then. He spent 42 years working in all phases of defense acquisition and technology including Acquisition and Technology Department Head for Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Director Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell and Performed the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition.

Admiral Thomas Allan, Jr.

Vice Commandant

U. S. Coast Guard

Admiral Tom Allan assumed the duties of Vice Commandant in February 2026, after previously serving as the Acting Vice Commandant since July 2025. As the Vice Service Chief, he advances the Commandant’s strategic vision and directs internal governance of the U.S. Coast Guard, the 56,000 person-strong military service and law enforcement agency that conducts operations to control, secure, defend the U.S. border and maritime approaches, facilitates commerce, and successfully responds to a crisis or contingency. Admiral Allan most recently served as the Acting Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) responsible for the development of operational strategy, policy, guidance, and resources that address national priorities. This oversight of Coast Guard missions, programs, and services includes: intelligence; international affairs; cyber; the maritime transportation system; commercial regulations and inspections; search and rescue; maritime security; law enforcement; defense operations; environmental response; contingency planning; and the operational capabilities of cutter, boat, aviation, shore, and deployable specialized forces. Admiral Allan’s previous Flag assignments also include: Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, where he oversaw the 17,000-person organization that delivers the people and systems that enable the Coast Guard to perform its operational missions through all facets of mission support; Director of Operations (J3), U.S. Southern Command, where he oversaw all operations, activities, and investments within the vast area of responsibility encompassing 31 countries and 12 dependencies and areas of special sovereignty; Commander, First Coast Guard District, where he oversaw all Coast Guard missions across eight states in the Northeast, including over 2,000 miles of coastline from the U.S.-Canadian border to northern New Jersey and 1,300 miles offshore; Assistant Commandant for Resources and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard (CG-8) where he was responsible for all budgetary, financial and resource management activities relating to the programs and operations of the Coast Guard. Admiral Allan is a career operations ashore officer with tours across multiple units with a concentration in boat forces operations. A native of Bowie, Maryland, Admiral Allan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, and completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI. He has earned numerous personal, team, and campaign awards during 35 years of service.

Katrina Manson

Author of Project Maven, reporter at Bloomberg News

Bloomberg News

Katrina Manson covers national security and tech at Bloomberg and is former US defense and foreign policy correspondent at the Financial Times. Previously, she reported on several African countries for more than a decade. She is also author of Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare, which came out in March 2026.

Michael Stratton

Defense Partnerships & Strategic Solutions Manager

Globalstar

A U.S. Army combat veteran and former Artillery Section Chief, Michael Stratton brings firsthand operational experience to his role as Defense Partnerships & Strategic Solutions Manager at Globalstar - where he has opened new verticals and built strategic channel partnerships with global enterprise and DoD partners. He specializes in delivering resilient satellite IoT and MSS connectivity for UAV/UAS operations, uncrewed systems, and contested environments, bridging mission requirements with scalable SATCOM technology.

Caitlin Hardy

Founder and Managing Director

Ness Sea

Caitlin Hardy is the Founder and Managing Director of Ness Sea Consulting. She began her career as a naval architect, focusing on workboats, commercial fishing vessels, sealifts, passenger vessels, and salvage. Utilizing her engineering background, she moved into project management roles for new vessel construction. As her experiences shifted from engineering on a single vessel to building a class of multiple vessels, she moved to the cruise industry to oversee continuous improvement across fleet operations for four operating lines. This experience of navigating the considerations for an operating company from a single vessel to looking across an operating company's entire fleet has given her unique insights into navigating the value propositions and challenges at each decision-making point. After completing her MBA, she spent time in two Series A startups focused on different aspects of the maritime and defense industries in cybersecurity and vessel analytics in product and leadership roles. Most recently, she led the US entity of Kongsberg Discovery, focused on expanding the company's offerings across all four product centers in the US, including establishing a US AUV team primarily to serve defense customers. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture from the US Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of Washington, Foster School of Business. Currently, she serves as the Co-Vice Chair on the Board of Washington Maritime BLUE and on the Editorial Board of Lloyd's List. In her free time, she loves to explore the Pacific Northwest with her family and friends, from sailing and kayaking on the water to skiing in the mountains.

Anthony Antognoli

Assistant Commandant & PEO Robotivs and Autonomous Systems

U.S. Coast Guard

Mr. Anthony Antognoli serves as the Assistant Commandant and Program Executive Officer for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CG-RAS) at the United States Coast Guard, where he leads the development, acquisition, and integration of advanced unmanned and autonomous technologies across the Service’s 11 statutory missions. In this role, he is responsible for accelerating the transition of emerging capabilities into the fleet, driving innovation and ensuring the sustainment of fielded systems that strengthen national security, enhance maritime safety, and improve operational readiness. Before rejoining the Coast Guard in August 2025, Mr. Antognoli served as the Deputy Executive Director for Program Accountability and Risk Management, assisting in leading acquisition lifecycle management functions including governance, oversight, and decision support for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Additionally, the Deputy Executive Director serves as the Component Acquisition Executive for headquarters programs. In July 2020, Mr. Antognoli was appointed Chief of Staff of the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), where he managed administration, policy, and strategic priorities while also serving as the Component Acquisition Executive, providing senior oversight of CWMD acquisition program and initiatives. Mr. Antognoli also previously served at the Coast Guard, first as the Deputy Director of the Marine Transportation System and later as Strategic Advisor to the Commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command. Mr. Antognoli began his federal service with the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, where he was the Deputy Chief of the Nuclear Warheads Interagency Division, responsible for sustainment and modernization planning of the Air Force nuclear warhead stockpile. He also led the Materiel Integration and Program Development Division; chaired the Program Analysis Subgroup for the W80-4 Life Extension Program; and served as program manager for the Long-Range Stand-Off Warhead Integration Program; and software developer for the High-Powered Microwave, Directed Energy Directorate. Mr. Antognoli brings hands-on experience in technology development and entrepreneurship in addition to his government service, founding and operating a customer software solutions firm in the private sector. He also worked for Intel and America Online. His career achievements have been recognized through multiple awards, including the DHS Secretary’s Commendation Award, Coast Guard Meritorious Service Commendation Award, and the Air Force Civilian Achievement Medal.