Know someone who would be a good guest speaker? Send us an email at pr@insaonline.org with their name, title, and a short bio.

----

This podcast explores various aspects of careers in intelligence and national security, including insights from professionals in the field, advice on career paths, educational requirements, and discussions on current trends and challenges including talent acquisition and retention, diversity issues, and the range of opportunities across the public, private and academic sectors.

Tune in on Spotify or ApplePodcast!

---

NEW!

Episode 33

-----------------------------------------------------

Past Episodes

Episode 32

Janaki Kates
National Security Consultant and Commentator

Janaki Kates is a national security consultant and commentator drawing on her nearly 18 year career at the CIA. Ms. Kates started at the CIA as a space and counterspace analyst, with a particular focus on reconnaissance, navigation, and orbital robotic systems. As an analytic manager, she led a variety of technical analytic teams that focused on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, cruise missiles, and counterproliferation operations. Ms. Kates also served as the Technical Director of Research and Analysis in the CIA’s Counterintelligence Mission Center.

In addition, Ms. Kates was an intelligence briefer to executives at the Department of State and National Security Council, an editor for the President’s Daily Brief, and served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of National Intelligence. Ms. Kates also spent time in the ODNI’s Systems and Resource Analyses, where she oversaw several Analyses of Alternatives to inform ODNI's budget build for a 15-year horizon. Most recently, Ms. Kates served as the Director of Government Affairs for Intelligence Programs at Northrop Grumman.

Ms. Kates has a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering from MIT, and a MA in Security Studies from Georgetown University. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and two children.

Episode 31

Nateé Johnson
Data Scientist and Managing Consultant
Defense & Security Segment
Guidehouse

By day, Nateé is a data scientist and managing consultant at Guidehouse; having served the IC for nearly a decade. Throughout her career, her fervor for storytelling with data has benefitted many of our nation's defense and intelligence agencies. She specializes in project management, data visualization, data pipelining, and analytics leveraging both open-source and licensed software resources. Nateé's personal mission is to "facilitate greatness", which she lives out as she leads her team in optimizing their client’s business processes to enable and enhance data-centric decision-making. 

In pursuit of her passion to empower others and foster thriving workplace cultures for all, she has leveraged her experiences participating in various panel discussions addressing topics from bias in the workplace to bolstering talent pipelines into STEM disciplines. Most recent highlights include DEI-themed panels hosted by BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference; Blacks in Tech Foundation with Flatiron School; and Young Professionals Group within United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).

On her path to Guidehouse, Nateé earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and certificate in Modern Language & Linguistics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Her educational and research pursuits continued at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where she earned an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering studying materials science. Her pivot to data science was enhanced by Flatiron School’s award-winning Data Science Fellowship.

By dusk, you will find Nateé engaging in her favorite things: creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This manifests itself as crafting, adventuring, teaching, learning, tending to her Earth babies (i.e. plants), or destroying & rebuilding parts of her home. On her journey to master herself, create beauty and leave the world better than she found it, she hopes to inspire others to do the same. 

Episode 30

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Lena Andrews, Associate Research Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland. Tune in to hear Ms. Andrews discuss how earning her PhD impacted her decision to join the CIA  and the motivation for publishing her book "Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II.”

Lena Andrews
Associate Research Professor
School of Public Policy, UMD

Lena Andrews is the author of Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy. Lena previously served as a military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, and has also worked at the RAND Corporation and United States Institute of Peace. Her work has appeared on MSNBC, PBS, CNN, Today, People, and TIME, among other outlets. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Lena received her Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Episode 29

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Host Jim Donnely is joined by Doug Keating, VP of Business Development, Virbrint. Tune in to hear Mr. Keating discuss his journey from an Army Officer to a private sector leader, offers insights into resources for career development opportunities, and the impact of emerging technologies on the intelligence community and future workforce.

Doug Keating
VP of Business Development
Vibrint

Doug’s current role is Vice President of business development for the national security technology company Vibrint. After graduating from the University of Virginia Doug served as an Army Officer in numerous leadership positions for over a decade before transitioning into the private sector in 2001.  He worked at several great companies supporting the Intelligence Community the past two decades including Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Microsoft as a technology leader before joining Vibrint. Five years ago, Doug founded a company called All The Way Leadership! which focuses on training the next generation of leaders to make the world a better place.

Episode 28

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnely welcomes Tish Rourke, VP for Cyber and Intelligence, Rotary Missions Systems, Lockheed Martin. Tune in to hear Ms. Rourke discuss the importance of taking calculated risks in career development, building diverse teams, the growing demand for cyber-related roles in national security, and more!

Tish Rourke
VP of Cyber and Intelligence
Rotary and Missions Systems
Lockheed Martin

Episode 27

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Karissa Calvo, Communications and Strategy Lead, Enterprise Security Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Tune in as Karissa discusses the importance of keeping connections, emotional intelligence, and a few challenges facing the IC workforce today. 

Karissa Calvo
Communications and Strategy Lead
Enterprise Cybersecurity Section
FBI

Karissa Calvo is an experienced leader and mentor, currently serving as a communications and strategy lead for the FBI’s Enterprise Cybersecurity Section. She entered Senior Executive Service in 2017 and has served as the Senior Executive responsible for a range of functions to include IT security operations and network defense, personnel career services, financial management, communications, strategy, and the FBI’s supply chain risk management program.  

Ms. Calvo began her federal career as a Behavioral Research Specialist with the U.S. Secret Service, studying targeted violence in schools and presenting nationally to law enforcement, mental health professionals, and educators on threat assessment. Following 9/11, she joined the Federal Air Marshal (FAM) Service in the Director’s Office where she assisted in the massive efforts to build the agency, leading in the areas of workforce planning and medical programs. While there she completed a joint duty assignment at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) in Glynco, GA.

Ms. Calvo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from George Mason University and a Master of Science in Forensic Sciences from The George Washington University. She is a certified coach,  a former Diversity Executive Champion for the FBI’s Hispanic Advisory Board, and the Chair of the IC Women’s Intelligence Network (WIN). She is a proud Navy (Ret.) wife and a mom to two strong-willed, wholehearted Latina daughters and their energetic Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Episode 26

On this week’s episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Jamie Jones Miller, Northeastern University’s inaugural CEO and Regional Dean of the Arlington, Virginia campus. Tune in to hear Ms. Miller discuss her two major career shifts, the importance of investing in people, future demand for well-rounded individuals in the IC workforce, and more.

Jamie Jones Miller
CEO and Regional Dean
Northeastern University Arlington

Jamie Jones Miller is an experienced senior executive, trusted advisor, and skilled facilitator, with over 20 years of experience in the national security enterprise. Jamie was tapped to be the inaugural Dean and CEO of Northeastern University’s campus in Arlington, VA in 2022 and is the current chair of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security, an organization dedicated to elevating women into the most senior national security roles.

Jamie’s government service includes 13 years on Capitol Hill where she held senior staff roles including Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Legislative Director. Jamie subsequently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for House Affairs (SES II) and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (SES III).

She is the lead facilitator for the Department of Defense Vanguard Senior Executive Leadership Program and has served on the faculty of National Defense University’s PINNACLE course for prospective joint/combined force commanders since 2018. Jamie continues to serve the House of Representatives as a consultant to members of Congress through the Congressional Excellence Program. Jamie is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association Board of Directors, and is a member of the Blue Star Families National Advisory Board. 

Episode 25

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by America Cammarota, Assessment Strategist Lead, OUSD(I&S). Tune in to hear Ms. Cammarota discuss her transition from the military to a civilian career (including a European backpacking trip), her love for learning, and advice for young professionals looking to embark on an IC career!

America Cammarota
Assessment Strategist Lead
OUSD(I&S)

America Cammarota is a Marine Corps veteran and career defense civilian professional currently serving as an Assessment Strategist Lead for OUSD(I&S), where she is measuring the success of critical programs and identifying areas for risk reduction. She is passionate about emerging and disruptive technologies and enabling strategic level decision making. 

Outside of her professional endeavors, she is an intellectually curious individual who is always seeking to expand her knowledge through reading and collecting book. America is deeply committed to giving back and empowering women in the national security sector. She volunteers with organizations such as Amazing Women of the IC (AWIC) and Command Purpose, where she works to support and mentor women.

Episode 24

On this week's episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Army Veteran and INSA Fellow, Lindsay Heisler. Tune in to hear Ms. Heisler discuss her time in the U.S. Army as an Aviation Officer and Apache helicopter pilot, mentors who helped shape her career, the value of servant leadership, and more.

Lindsay Heisler
Fellow
INSA

Lindsay Heisler is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. She also works as a Fellow at the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.

Prior to her graduate studies, Lindsay had a distinguished career in the United States Army where she served for 11 years as an Aviation Officer and an AH-64 Apache helicopter pilot. Her service included positions as an attack helicopter company commander, maintenance company commander, and platoon leader. Lindsay’s military experience encompasses a combat deployment to Afghanistan and an assignment to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Germany where she served as an aviation tactical advisor to U.S., NATO Ally, and European partner militaries.

Lindsay is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal and the West Point Alexander R. Nininger Award for valor on the field of battle. She is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where she played Division 1 soccer and earned a Bachlor of Science in Physics.

In her free time, Lindsay enjoys traveling to new countries and hiking with her husband and their two Golden Retrievers.

Episode 23

On this week's episode of the ICC podcast host Jim Donelly is joined by COL Candice Frost, USA (Ret.), Director, DoD Integrated Account, Nightwing. Ms. Frost shares her journey from the military to private sector. She also speaks on the importance of being a life-long learner, creating change within large organizations, and more!

COL Candice Frost, USA (Ret.)
Director, Integrated DoD Account
Nightwing

Candice Frost, by her own admission, instinctively looks for the hardest problems to solve. That inclination has served her well in business development and cyber intelligence, where the speed and scale of threats is constantly expanding. A life-long learner, Candice is a decorated expert in her field. She enjoys the complex, cutting-edge nature of evolving technologies and using her analytical skills. During her military service, she was instrumental in the integration of women into combat arms and standing up U.S. Cyber Command.

As Nightwing's Department of Defense (DOD) Integrated Account Executive, Candice manages the DOD portfolio of technical capabilities and high-touch services supporting sensitive activities and special operations. Equally comfortable with technical audiences, policy experts, and senior military personnel, she works closely with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Navy to drive mission success. Her career has included operational tours of duty in the Balkans and multiple deployments to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.

Candice considers herself a mentor and a teacher, taking pride in her ability to develop teams and inspire those around her. An adjunct professor at Georgetown University, she teaches master's-level security studies. She is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and holds masters' degrees from Central Michigan University and the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies. Decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Combat Action Badge. She is the recipient of the Billington Cybersecurity Workforce Development Award; Business Council for Peace Lifetime Mentorship Award; the Lifetime Achievement Award in Muscatine, Iowa; and numerous fellowships. Candice is a member of the Executive Advisory Council for AFCEA DC.

Episode 22

On this week's episode host Jim Donnelly welcomes Lindy Kyzer, Director of Content and PR, ClearanceJobs! Tune in to hear Lindy share her experience being a “professional intern” in college, the importance of a curious attitude, her love for the mission, and more. 

Lindy Kyzer
Director of Content and PR
ClearanceJobs 

Lindy Kyzer is the Director of Content and PR at ClearanceJobs.com, the largest career site for individuals with an active federal security clearance. ClearanceJobs has registered more than 1 million candidates with an active federal security clearance and has been helping government contractors find cleared talent and cleared professionals advance their careers since 2002. Lindy helped ClearanceJobs build the largest community of cleared professionals and the creation of the largest trade publication covering personnel security policy and clearance vetting processes. From a news site and forum to regular webinars, podcasts, and radio shows, Lindy has worked hard to demystify the security clearance process for both applicants and clearance holders, ensuring more diverse and qualified applicants enter the government talent pool. 

Episode 21

On this week's episode host Jim Donnelly is joined by Danielle James, Assistant Director, Training and Workforce Development Directorate, NCIS. Tune in to hear Danielle James share her career journey from State Department to NCIS. She also delves into her educational background including the benefits of attending an HBCU, highlights important mentorship relationships, and more!

Danielle James
Assistant Director, Training and Workforce Development Directorate
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)

The Assistant Director for the NCIS Training and Workforce Development Directorate, Special Agent Danielle N. James, manages a team of over 45 Special Agents, Analysts, Technicians, and Instructors, responsible for providing basic, advanced, and in-service training programs for NCIS, with a budget of $8M. Her role includes overseeing leadership and professional growth training for all employees across all disciplines and pay grades.

AD James previously held the position of Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Cyber Operations Field Office in Washington, D.C. where she led a team of over 60 agents, responsible for conducting counterintelligence investigations and operations in the cyber domain against high-priority threats and actors. She has also served as the Deputy Assistant Director for Human Capital Development at NCIS HQ, where she was responsible for managing recruitment strategies and the screening and hiring of Special Agent candidates. Additionally, AD James served as the NCIS Senior Representative to the FBI National Counterintelligence Task Force in College Park, MD, and as Executive Assistant for the NCIS Deputy Director of Operational Support.

As an Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Stuttgart, Germany, for the Europe and Africa Field Office, AD James was responsible for directing and leading NCIS Force Protection Detachments in nine countries. As a Supervisory Special Agent, she oversaw investigations and operations in Rota, Spain, and Okinawa, Japan. Before her supervisory roles, AD James served at NCIS HQ in the National Security Directorate as a Desk Officer for counterintelligence investigations and operations, at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Field Office conducting investigations, and at the Norfolk Field Office conducting child sex abuse investigations.

AD James began her career with the Diplomatic Security Service in 1999, serving in the Houston and Los Angeles Field Offices and at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia. She completed extended temporary duty assignments in Pakistan, Yemen, Algeria, Afghanistan, Israel, and the Secretary of State's protective detail.

AD James holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from The University of Oklahoma and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Florida A&M University. She has attended various courses at the Joint Counterintelligence Training Academy, the National Collaboration Development Center, the FBI Training Academy, and the Harvard Extension School for Professional Development. AD James is a member of the NCIS Directors Committee for Diversity and Inclusion and co-chairs the NCIS African American Employee Resource Group.

Episode 20

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly welcomes Jennifer Finley, Communications & Networking Systems Assistant Group Supervisor, Johns Hopkins APL. Listen in as Ms. Finley shares her path into the IC including her educational background in engineering and internship opportunity. She also offers advice to young professionals and describes a variety of technical and soft skills that have been useful throughout her career.

Jennifer Finley
Communications & Networking Systems Assistant Group Supervisor
Johns Hopkins APL

Jen Finley is the Communications & Networking Systems Assistant Group Supervisor at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory where she spearheads teams of researchers finding solutions to operational communications challenges for special-tailored missions and the intelligence community. She also manages a portfolio of communications technologies applied to DoD initiatives and oversees the execution of multiple projects under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. She has held a multitude of roles that enabled her to apply her experience in testing and evaluation, network and protocol analytics, link-layer analytics, as well as 4G and 5G systems. She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University and a master’s in electrical and computer engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Episode 19

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Brian Cooney, Associate Director, Defense and Security Segment, Guidehouse.  Tune in as he discusses his passion for working in the IC, educational background and commitment to continuous learning, importance of relationship building, and more

Brian Cooney
Associate Director, Defense and Security Segment
Guidehouse

Brian Cooney is an Associate Director in Guidehouse’s Defense & Security Segment supporting Defense & Intelligence and State Department clients. Brian has 14 years of experience in leading transformation, strategy, and change management efforts across more than a dozen federal organizations and a Fortune 100 company. 

Episode 18

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Kaitlin Kiser, Deputy Director, ISR Education, LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education. Tune in as she describes key career pivot points, her passion for her work, important skills she’s developed to be successful, future workforce challenges, and more!

Kaitlin Kiser
Deputy Director, ISR Education
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development

Mrs. Kaitlin Kiser is currently serving as Deputy Director, ISR Education, LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. She provides instruction to a myriad of students from Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, as well as Air War College. She works in tandem to provide Professional Military Education to over 16,800 US Air Force officers, international officers, and Department of Defense civilians annually.

Mrs. Kiser joined the civilian force in October of 2020. Utilizing eighteen years of analytic intelligence experience across operational, strategic and tactical environments, she has served as an intelligence analyst enabling operations for ACC, AETC, DIA and US Embassy Moscow.

Ms. Kiser provides significant insight in Europe/Eurasia studies from her time at the Defense Intelligence Agency as well as the National Ground Intelligence Center. She is proficient in joint doctrine and operational planning and execution. During her time at the USAFWC she worked on the Air Force’s most premier exercises to include Red Flag, Resolute Hunter, and Red Flag Rescue.

Episode 17

On this episode of the ICC podcast, we welcomed Dr. John Ballard, President, National Intelligence University. Dr. Ballard shares his journey through academia in the IC and highlights unique distinctions NIU offers its students. He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, finding mentors, and building strong relationships.

Dr. John Ballard
President
National Intelligence University

Dr. Ballard serves as the fourth President of the National Intelligence University. In this role, his responsibilities include leading faculty and staff, academic accreditation, budget and facilities, and the education and research programs. He is the primary representative of the university to the Intelligence Community and Federal Government leadership, academia, and to private sector leaders and organizations.

Dr. Ballard joined ODNI on July 31, 2023, from the Department of Transportation where he served as a member of the Senior Executive Service as Provost at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Dr. Ballard was previously the Dean of the National War College within the Department of Defense and the Founding Dean of the National Defense College of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

He earned his doctorate in history from the Catholic University of America, and is the author or co-author of seven books and numerous journal articles focused on national security, including: From Storm to Freedom, America’s Long War with Iraq; Triumph of SelfDetermination, United Nations Peacemaking in East Timor; From Kabul to Baghdad and Back, the US at War in Afghanistan and Iraq; and National Security Education: Developing Strategic Leaders for 21st Century Challenges.

Dr. Ballard is the recipient of the Department of Transportation’s Bronze Medal, the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and several military awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he received the General Horace Porter Award in History.

Episode 16

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, we are excited to welcome Nazaret Berhane, Program Manager, Human Capital Office, IC Centers for Academic Excellence, ODNI! Tune in to this special episode to hear Ms. Berhane share her career journey as a neurodiverse individual in the IC from FBI to ODNI, her passion for creating a diverse workforce and mentoring the next generation, and more!

Nazaret Berhane
Program Manager, Human Capital Office
IC Centers for Academic Excellence
ODNI 

Mrs. Nazaret Berhane hails from Eritrea, East Africa but was born and raised in Khartoum, Sudan where she completed an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management at Ahfad University for Women. Mrs. Berhane holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland. In January 2004, Mrs. Berhane started her career in the translation world as an Arabic and Tigrinya linguist with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Recognized for her strong language skills and leadership abilities, Mrs. Berhane was selected to manage a national languages program and served in that capacity for 5 years before being selected to serve two Joint Duty Assignments, first with the US Air Force and later with the Office of Director of National Intelligence’s Foreign Language Program Office where she worked directly with the Intelligence Community’s Senior Language Authority and liaised with USIC and 5 Eyes partners. Mrs. Berhane currently serves as a Program Manager on the IC Centers for Academic Excellence team within the IC Human Capital Office. Mrs. Berhane also currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Women’s Intelligence Network (WIN), and previously served as FBI’s Directorate of Intelligence’s (DI) Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, an important role providing liaison functions with Human Resources Division’s Diversity and Inclusion Section, assisting in increasing workforce diversity, and promoting a more inclusive environment in the DI.

In her free time, Nazaret likes to spend time with her small and extended family and works to advocate for mental health in East African communities to help normalize discussions about mental health and to move the negative stigma.

Episode 15

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Cortney Weinbaum, Senior National Security Researcher, RAND Corporation. Tune in to hear Ms. Weinbaum discuss her career journey from DIA to RAND Corp., the significance of a STEM degree, passion for her work, challenges facing the IC workforce...and more!

Cortney Weinbaum
Senior National Security Researcher
RAND Corporation

Cortney Weinbaum (she/her) is a senior management scientist at RAND. She specializes in intelligence and space topics, and she has worked with the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense to improve policies, practices, and technologies. She has improved analytic and collection tradecraft; identified emerging technologies and their impact on space architectures, special operations, countering weapons of mass destruction, and intelligence; and examined new workforce models for intelligence agencies. She leads RAND's international engagements and Track 2 dialogues with select countries. She facilitated cross-discipline teams to apply structured analytic techniques to intractable intelligence topics, and she has applied wargaming and scenario-based planning against both operational and enterprise topics. 

Weinbaum led two teams to receive the Director of National Intelligence's Meritorious Unit Citation for advancing the IC's knowledge of two intractable intelligence topics. Since joining RAND, she has studied emerging technologies and their implications for intelligence; unclassified intelligence; the ethics of scientific research; and other topics. She began her career as an intelligence officer developing radio frequency and electromagnetic MASINT collection systems. Weinbaum earned her B.S. in physics from the University of Michigan. She serves on the Advisory Committee of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.

Episode 14

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, Jim Donnelly is joined by Stacie Bohanan, Principal Research Scientist III, University of Alabama in Huntsville. In this episode, Stacie shares how she kickstarted her career at the FBI. She also discusses mentorship, importance of cultivating your network, advanced degrees vs. certifications, transitioning from the public to private sector…and more.

Stacie Bohanan
Principal Research Scientist III
University of Alabama in Huntsville

Episode 13

On this week's episode, John Atwell, author and editor for the Association of Former Intelligence Officers e-magazine, discusses his 20+ year career at the CIA, from navigating new roles and responsibilities to developing technical and soft skills, to lessons learned and key takeaways.

John Atwell
Author and Editor
Association of Former Intelligence Officers

John Atwell served in the Intelligence Community as a CIA operations officer and, toward the end of his 23-year career, as senior manager overseeing officers from FBI, NSA, NGA, and the DoD.

John entered the IC when he was just 20-years old, through a student program, which initially placed him in the Agency in an analytic role. He is now the author of a monthly newspaper column on intelligence issues, the editor of a weekly online news magazine for the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, and a public speaker on espionage matters.

Episode 12

Tune in to hear Stephanie Leung, Senior Director for Growth and Business Development, GDIT, discuss how she got started in the IC, the role her education played in her career, transitioning from public to private sector, mentors she's had and mentee relationships, and more!

Stephanie Leung 
Senior Director for Growth and Business Development
GDIT

Stephanie Leung is the Growth Lead for the Mission Services and Solutions (MSS) Sector and Senior Director for Business Development for General Dynamics Information Technology’s (GDIT) Intelligence and Homeland Security’s and Growth Lead for the Mission Solution Sector. She leads the sector’s growth team focused on serving the Intelligence Community customers and directly oversees the Geospatial Services and Solutions (GSS) business market in support of the warfighter mission. In this role she is responsible for enhancing business goals and priorities while building and ensuring productive customer and partner relations.

Prior to joining GDIT, Stephanie served as a Program Manager and Team Lead at the National Geospatial Agency, providing leadership and counsel to both the company and the NGA. In this position, she supported both NGA’s Source Directorate and GEOINT Services offices. Stephanie served in the United States Navy for 26 years as a Naval Intelligence Officer where she held numerous leadership roles and conducted several deployments abroad and at sea. She has been awarded personal and unit awards for her superior performance and leadership including recognition during her tour in Israel as the Assistant Naval Attaché during the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2002 and three Humanitarian Operations off the West Coast of Africa and Albania in 1998.

Episode 11

On this special episode of the Podcast, we welcome Stephanie La Rue, Chief, IC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Officer, ODNI. Moderated by Bishop Garrison, INSA's VP for Policy, Ms. La Rue shares her responsibilities and projects in her current position, the role mentors have played in her career journey, how the IC is working to meet diversity and inclusion goals, current workforce trends and challenges, and more!​​

Stephanie La Rue
Chief, IC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Officer
ODNI

Stephanie A. La Rue, Esq. leads efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the IC enterprise, serving as a principal advisor to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and IC senior leadership. Stephanie represents the IC on all DEIA-related matters, including Congressional oversight. Stephanie negotiates and justifies National Intelligence Program funding for the DEIA mission with the Office of Management and Budget. She also serves as the IC representative to five White House initiatives focused on advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for underrepresented communities.

Stephanie brings more than a decade of leadership and national security experience to the role, including her most recent position as the chief diversity strategist for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Stephanie led the development and execution of CIA's multi-year diversity and inclusion strategy.

Episode 10

Tune in to hear Dominique Cooper, Principal Consultant, CCG, share her career trajectory, from NGA to Silicon Valley to a DIB contractor. She also delves into her mentorships and how she obtained and cultivated these relationships.

Dominique Cooper
Principal Consultant
CCG

Episode 9

Tune in to hear Trent Teyema, Founder & President, CSG Strategies, Inc., share his inspiration for joining the IC and the steps he took to realize his dream of joining the FBI. He also shares advice for young professionals seeking to serve in government and senior professionals looking to transition to industry! 

Trent Teyema
Founder & President
CSG Strategies, Inc.

Trent Teyema (FBI Special Agent - SES retired) is the founder and president of CSG Strategies, Inc., a national security consultancy which specializes in the security of cyber, space, and technology through policy and practice of risk mitigation.  Mr. Teyema has more than three decades in the field of law enforcement, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection.  

Mr. Teyema was twice appointed to cybersecurity policy roles at The White House during the Bush '43 and Obama '44 Administrations. He retired from the FBI as the Cyber Division's Chief of Cyber Readiness and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Teyema founded and led the FBI's National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF). 

Episode 8

On this episode of the ICC, Jim Donnelly is joined by Nicole Pilkus, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Strategy, NRO. Ms. Pilkus discusses her 25+ year career journey including her educational path, goal-setting tips, evolving expectations of the workforce...and more!

Nicole Pilkus
Principal Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Strategy
NRO

Currently serving as Principal Deputy Director in the NRO's Office of Policy and Strategy, Nicole Pilkus is dynamic national security professional with more than 25 years of experience. She specializes in integrated operations and collaborative efforts spanning multiple agencies, functions, and/or nations and has held a wide range of staff, analytic, and managerial positions in both the public and private sectors.

Episode 7

On this episode of the ICC podcast, we are pleased to welcome Sarah McPeak, Lead Technical Specialist, Maxar, to discuss her academic journey, decision to pursue a career in geospatial intelligence, time in the Army and transition to the private sector, commitment to continuous learning, and more! 

Sarah McPeak
Lead Technical Specialist
Maxar

Sarah is a lead technical specialist at Maxar. She recently received the Edwin H. Land Industry Award at INSA's 2023 Achievement Awards Ceremony. Sarah was selected for her exceptional technical proficiency, demonstrated leadership, and inspiring work ethic supporting national security. Prior to her current role at Maxar, Sarah served in the US Army as a Geospatial Engineer.

Episode 6

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Bishop Garrison, VP for Policy, INSA, discusses his career path, navigating the shift from military service to the private and public sector. He shares insights on effective mentorship, offers guidance for aspiring mentors and shares advice for young professionals!

Bishop Garrison
Vice President for Policy
INSA

Bishop Garrison is a senior national security executive, veteran, and writer who has served in the military, presidential administrations and campaigns, the nonprofit community, and the private sector throughout his 20-year career. In addition to founding Orange Court Strategies, he previously served as the Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy at Paravision.AI. Most recently, he served in the Biden Administration in the Senior Executive Service and served as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Human Capital and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Bishop attended the United States Military Academy at West Point graduating in 2002. He served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Following his service, Bishop graduated from the William and Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, VA. He is the recipient of two Bronze Stars, a Meritorious Service Medal, and a Combat Action Badge. His civilian accolades and awards include multiple medals from the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as several citations from the Department of Homeland Security and the Obama administration’s White House. He is also a recipient of the Taylor Reveley “Citizen Lawyer” Award from the College of William and Mary Law School.

Episode 5

On the latest episode of the ICC's podcast, Austin Wang, VP of Intelligence, MITRE discusses his Marine Corps and CIA service, varying paths into the IC workforce, best practices for growing your IC career...and more!

Austin Wang
Vice President for Intelligence
MITRE

Austin Y. Wang is vice president, intelligence at MITRE. In this role, he leads MITRE’s efforts to drive whole-of-nation, joint, and multi-agency solutions through integration across the intelligence community and our larger national security enterprise, while shaping MITRE’s and our nation’s response to national security challenges. A senior intelligence community executive with nearly 30 years in leadership roles, Wang joined MITRE after 21 years with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), most recently as a senior executive and clandestine technical operations lead. 

Episode 4

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Cadie Hopkins Federal, Altana AI & Co-Founder, Iron Butterfly Media, discusses her nontraditional career journey, how she sees the community evolving, value of mentors and giving back, and the importance of staying true to who you are.  

Cadie Hopkins
Federal, Atlanta AI and Co-Founder, Iron Butterfly Media

Cadie Hopkins has founded, built, and led multiple organizations committed to creativity, innovation, and the growth, mentorship, and empowerment of individuals across the national security community. She currently works at Altana AI, a start-up technology company building the map of global supply chain, where she leads a federal business subvertical supporting the US national security mission. She also co-founded the Iron Butterfly Podcast and Iron Butterfly Media, which is currently producing and directing the first documentary feature film about women in the intelligence community. Lastly, she co-founded the Command Purpose Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving US military veteran women and leaders throughout life transitions. She previously served as an intelligence analyst at Defense Intelligence Agency.

Episode 3

On this week’s episode of the ICC podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Peter Kant, Chairman and CEO of Enabled Intelligence. Mr. Kant discusses his career journey in the IC. Mr. Kant discusses his career journey including advice for setting career goals, developing and honing technical skill sets, leveraging neurodiverse capabilities, the workforce...and more!

Peter Kant
CEO
Enabled Intelligence, Inc

Peter Kant is the Founder and CEO of Enabled Intelligence, Inc, an artificial intelligence technology company providing accurate data labeling and AI technology development for U.S. defense and intelligence agencies while providing meaningful high-tech employment to veterans and neurodiverse professionals. Peter has two decades of experience at the nexus of business, government, technology and policy including leadership positions in state and federal government, large companies, start-ups, and non-profits. He also currently serves on multiple corporate boards and advisory boards of venture funds including Culpepper Garden, Distributed Spectrum, Ditto, Picogrid, and Spectrohm.

Episode 2

On this week’s episode, Likia Hawkins, President and CEO of Steel Point Solutions, joins host Jim Donnelly to discuss the importance of building trust, being fearless, and the career-enhancing power of allies, champions, and mentors.

Likia Hawkins
President and CEO
Steel Point Solutions

Episode 1

On this first episode of the ICC podcast, Kevin Meiners, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Enterprise Capacity, ODNI, joins host Jim Donnelly for a discussion about IC careers including his thoughts on whether there is a difference between "green and blue badgers", importance of mentors, value of finding your tribe (and sometimes blazing your own path!), and tips for building meaningful mentor/mentee relationships.   

Kevin P. Meiners
36 Years in the DoD and IC
Consultant and Managing Member
Huddle Up Associates LLC

In his most recent position in his federal government career until he retired in 2020, Kevin Meiners served in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) since July 2013 where, in his capacity as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Enterprise Capacity, he was responsible for all matters pertaining to the National Intelligence Program (NIP), including resources, workforce, systems acquisition, advanced technology and facilities within the Intelligence Community, on behalf of the Director of National Intelligence.

ABOUT THE HOST

 Jim Donnelly
Managing Director
Artech LLC

Jim Donnelly is a veteran search executive, who has over 25 years of talent acquisition experience in the cyber, intelligence, and federal healthcare sectors. His senior-level executive searches have represented a diverse portfolio of clients in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian markets, covering functional areas such as operations, business development, engineering, and corporate leadership.