2025 Charlie Allen Achievement Awards

On Thursday, February 20, more than 200 leaders from across the intelligence, defense, homeland, and national security communities came together for INSA/INSF's 15th Charlie Allen Achievement Awards ceremony at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.

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Juliane Gallina, the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Digital Innovation at CIA, kicked off the program with a sincere keynote address focused on how mentors can significantly impact your career. She shared personal experiences from her own journey, including one involving the award’s namesake The Hon. Charlie Allen, who was in attendance for the ceremony. Ms. Gallina highlighted the dedication and leadership of all six awardees, stating “Their impact was delivered through substantial and sustained contributions. They shared their wisdom by example…always with humility and patience.” To close, Ms. Gallina noted that her sentiments apply to everyone in the room, across all sectors, because “we strive for excellence together, and we win against the adversary together”.

View the event recording!

Following Ms. Gallina's remarks, senior leaders from across the community took the stage to present the awards. The event concluded with a dessert reception, featuring cake for Charlie Allen's birthday!

Congratulations to our 2025 honorees:

Richard J. Kerr Government Award
Kris M. Sonsteby, Sr Duty Officer, White House Situation Room, Executive Office of the President
Edwin H. Land Industry Award
Sarah Daly, Research Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses
John W. Warner Homeland Security Award
Maj. Javier Alejandro Noboa, USSF, Chief, Space Vehicle Engineering Division Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (GEOINT), Proliferated Radar and Optical System Program Office, NRO
Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award
Kelsey Carilli, R&D, Systems Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories
William O. Studeman Military Award
TSgt John Coloso, USAF, Section Chief, Commercial Aviation, 70th ISR Wing, NSA
Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award
Khalilah Montgomery-Sobrowski, Deputy Director, Anaytic Advancement Division, Office of I&A, DHS

Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Juliane Gallina
Deputy Director, Directorate of Digital Innovation

CIA

2025 Charlie Allen Achievement Awards

Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Sponsors