AUVSI Creates New Role, Names Alison Wyrick-Mendoza Vice President, Marketing, Communications, and Strategic Programs

August 11, 2026

As autonomous systems reach operational scale, the aerospace and technology veteran will unify AUVSI’s brand, flagship programs, and growth strategy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (August 11, 2026) — The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) today announced the appointment of Alison Wyrick-Mendoza as Vice President, Marketing, Communications, and Strategic Programs.  

This appointment comes as AUVSI expands its leadership across a fast-converging autonomy and robotics landscape — spanning air, ground, and maritime systems, defense and commercial markets, and artificial intelligence (AI). Wyrick-Mendoza will guide the evolution of AUVSI’s brand and align its flagship programs — including XPONENTIAL, Drone and AAM Policy Symposium, AUVSI Defense and Trusted Cyber and Trusted Operator certifications — to strengthen member value, extend the association’s reach, amplify its voice in industry-shaping conversations, and advance the safe and responsible adoption of autonomous systems. 

“The autonomy landscape is moving at an unprecedented pace, demanding seamless alignment between policy advocacy, technical standards, and global programming,” said Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI. “Alison brings a proven ability to connect complex aerospace technologies, regulatory realities, and market opportunities into coherent growth strategies. Unifying our communications, global events, and strategic initiatives under her leadership ensures AUVSI speaks with one strong voice while delivering maximum value to our members across every domain.” 

Wyrick-Mendoza brings more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of aerospace, emerging technology, strategic communications, and commercialization, helping global organizations translate complex innovation into credible market positioning and business growth. Her background maps directly to AUVSI’s core priorities, including defense expansion, commercial partnerships, and industry governance. 

Before joining AUVSI, Wyrick-Mendoza served as Global Senior Director of R&D Innovation at Honeywell, where she directed corporate strategy and negotiated Honeywell’s landmark AI partnership with Google Cloud while also building AI governance frameworks adopted across the enterprise. As Global Director of Marketing for Honeywell Aerospace’s Advanced Air Mobility division, she co-created the company’s flagship AAM Summit in Washington, D.C. and helped build a backlog of orders exceeding $10 billion.  

She previously held commercial leadership roles at GE Additive and has advised ASTM International on market adoption standards for AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing while serving on AUVSI’s Communications Committee. Earlier in her career, Wyrick-Mendoza lived and worked internationally across Europe and the Middle East, building the cross-cultural fluency she brings to AUVSI’s international members and partners. 

“The strength of AUVSI is the expertise and collective influence of its community,” said Wyrick-Mendoza. “My goal is to make that value immediately accessible — ensuring our event programming directly tackles the real-world operational challenges our members face, our policy voice carries weight where it matters most, and our certification programs build the trust required for commercial and defense scale. I look forward to leading this integrated team during such a transformational era for the autonomy and robotics space.” 

About AUVSI 

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics industry. AUVSI advocates for policy, education, and innovation that support safe and productive use of uncrewed systems.