The newly elected directors bring deep operational, technological, and strategic experience from across the defense and intelligence community:

• Aaron Bedrowsky, Senior VP, Intelligence and Homeland Security, GDIT
• Richard Durand, Client Executive VP, Public Sector National Security, AT&T
• Jay “Scott” Goldstein, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer, Defense and Intelligence, Parsons Corp.
• Peter Kant, CEO, Enabled Intelligence
• Meisha Lutsey, Executive VP, Mission and Engineering, CACI International
• David Marlowe, Senior VP, Amentum
• Christy Wilder, SVP, Chief Security Officer, Peraton

“INSA’s success is grounded in experienced leaders who understand both the mission and the complexity of the national security environment,” said Long. “These new directors bring proven judgment, operational credibility, and a clear-eyed view of the challenges facing the community. Their leadership will ensure INSA continues to deliver practical, mission-relevant value to our members.”

INSA also thanks outgoing board members David Appel (AWS), Jennifer Krischer, Michael LaRouche (Serco), Todd Probert (Hawkeye360), Vernon Saunders (Freedom Technology Solutions Group), and Jen Sovada (Boadicea Solutions) for their outstanding service and contributions to the organization.

The new directors assumed their roles effective January 1, 2026.

Source: INSA

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New advisory committee members:

• Sarah Campbell, Associate VP of Research for Defense & Security, Head of Special Projects, George Mason University
• Yvette Cesario, Managing Director, National Security Team, AWS
• Jim Edwards, Chief Growth Officer, SOSi
• Alexis Kovalchik, IC Growth Lead, Deloitte
• Kristyn Ream, Director of Strategy, Tactical Missions Division, L3Harris Technologies
• Tiffany Shaffery, Founder & CEO, Assertive Professionals
• David Snepp, Senior Director, National Security, Moody’s
• Joseph Vealencis, VP, Strategic Communications, U.S. Government, Vantor
• Jennifer Webster, National Security Partner Sales Manager, Google Public Sector

“Our advisory committee plays an important role in helping INSA stay responsive to the needs of the intelligence and national security community,” said INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. “We are excited to welcome these new members and look forward to the perspectives and expertise they bring to our programming and policy work.”

INSA would like to recognize the invaluable service of outgoing Advisory Committee members Likia Hawkins (Steel Point Solutions), Marissa Lightfoot (Auterion), and Tom Richey.

Source: INSA

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The paper finds that academic institutions, startups, and small businesses, often at the forefront of innovation in dual-use technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, face heightened risks of insider exploitation. These organizations may lack the security infrastructure and threat awareness found in cleared government or industry settings, making them attractive targets for foreign actors seeking to acquire U.S. intellectual property.

To help close these gaps, the authors offer a series of recommendations to strengthen safeguards across the broader innovation ecosystem, including the formation of a multi-agency task force, improved coordination among government agencies, and support for organizations operating outside the cleared environment.

“Protecting our innovation base requires a broader, more inclusive approach to insider threat mitigation,” said INSA President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. “This paper provides practical recommendations that can help government, academic, and industry leaders reduce risk while continuing to foster collaboration and technological progress.”

Download the paper.

Source: INSA

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As the eighth director of the CIA (2021–2025), Burns led the agency through significant global challenges. Among his many achievements, was the historic decision to declassify and publicly share intelligence revealing Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. This unprecedented action disrupted Russia’s disinformation efforts, strengthened allied unity, and allowed the U.S. and its ally partners to respond decisively before the invasion began.

Burns also prioritized countering the geopolitical and technological challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He established the CIA’s China Mission Center, expanded hiring and training for more Mandarin-speaking officers, and accelerated the agency’s adoption of AI and emerging technologies.

“Bill’s leadership exemplified what it means to rise to the moment in a rapidly evolving world,” said Letitia Long, INSA chairwoman. “His focus on building trust—whether with allies, partners, or CIA officers in the field—helped strengthen relationships and drive meaningful progress in addressing critical national security challenges. Bill approaches every decision with humility, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose. We are honored to celebrate his remarkable career and the lasting impact of his service.”

Burns holds rank of career ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service, and is one of only two career diplomats in history to serve as Deputy Secretary of State (2011-2014). Over his 33 years of distinguished diplomatic service, he held numerous senior leadership roles including Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2008-2011); U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2005-2008); Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2001 to 2005) and U.S. Ambassador to Jordan (1998-2001).

From 2014 to 2021, he served as president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Reflecting on his career and this honor, Burns said, “I am deeply honored by the Baker Award, which I look forward to accepting on behalf of the people who most deserve it—the remarkable women and men of CIA.”

He has received three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the U.S. Intelligence Community. Mr. Burns is the author of the best-selling book, The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from LaSalle University and master’s and doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar.

The Baker Award recognizes individuals who made sustained contributions or single achievements of extraordinary merit to the intelligence and national security affairs of the United States. Previous recipients include former NSA Director General Paul M. Nakasone, USA (Ret), U.S. Cyber Command Deputy Commander Vince Stewart, and former Secretary of Homeland Security Gov. Tom Ridge. The Award Selection Committee is comprised of members from INSA’s board of directors.

Source: INSA

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“I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence my colleagues have placed in me. INSA’s mission to foster collaboration between government, industry and academia has never been more critical,” said Long. “Over the next three years, I look forward to advancing initiatives that drive innovation, strengthen partnerships, and empower our national security workforce.”

A trailblazer in the intelligence community, Long made history as the first woman to lead a major intelligence agency when she served as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from August 2010 to October 2014. Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles such as deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (May 2006–July 2010), deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence for policy, requirements, and resources (June 2003–May 2006), and deputy director of naval intelligence (July 2000–June 2003).

“Tish’s drive and commitment to the intelligence and national security mission inspire everyone who has the privilege of working with her,” said INSA President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. “Her thoughtful leadership and steadfast focus on fostering collaboration set a high standard for all of us. We’re fortunate to have her at the helm as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Source: INSA

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“This year’s honorees represent the very best of our intelligence and national security workforce,” said INSA President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. “Their achievements have advanced the mission, inspired their peers, and set a new standard of excellence. We are proud to celebrate their contributions and share their remarkable stories.”

2025 Award Recipients

Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award

• Khalilah Montgomery-Sobrowski, Deputy Director, Analytic Advancement Division, Office of Intelligence & Analysis, U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award

• Kelsey Carilli, R&D, Systems Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories

Richard J. Kerr Government Award

• Kris Sonsteby, Senior 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

William O. Studeman Military Award

• TSgt John Coloso, USAF, Section Chief, Commercial Aviation, 70th ISR Wing, NSA

John W. Warner Homeland Security Award

• Major Javier Alejandro Noboa, USSF, Chief, Space Vehicle Engineering Division Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (GEOINT), Proliferated Radar and Optical System Program Office, NRO

A committee of senior intelligence and national security leaders from across INSA’s membership selected the six recipients.

Registration is now open for the award ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, February 20, from 6:00-9:30 pm at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. Following the opening welcome reception, Juliane Gallina, Deputy Director for Digital Innovation at the CIA will kick off the formal program with her keynote remarks, followed by the awards ceremony, and celebratory dessert reception.

Source: INSA

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Each of the six awards is named in honor of a recipient of the William Oliver Baker Award, which INSA annually presents to a senior leader who has demonstrated sustained excellence in U.S. intelligence and national security affairs.

“Recognizing the achievements of early- to mid-career professionals is essential not just for celebrating individual excellence but for cultivating a workforce equipped for the future,” says INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. “By spotlighting the dedication and innovative thinking of these rising stars, we cultivate a culture of appreciation for the hard work and creativity required to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.”

Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award: Open to public, private, and academic
professionals up to and including GS-15/O-6 or equivalent rank.

Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award: Open to researchers and technologists conducting innovative scientific or technological R&D with potential to significantly impact intelligence, defense, and/or homeland security.

Richard J. Kerr Government Award: Open to civilian government employees up to and including GS-13 or equivalent rank.

Edwin H. Land Industry Award: Open to contractors and non-government employees with 8 to10 years of non-executive experience. This award is exclusively for employees of INSA member companies.

William O. Studeman Military Award: Open to uniformed military personnel up to and including 0-4/E-7.

John W. Warner Homeland Security Award: Open to law enforcement, intelligence analysts, and first responders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies at levels up to federal GS-13 or equivalent.

Source: INSA

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A retired four-star general, Nakasone’s distinguished 38-year career in the U.S. Army culminated in 2024 with his service as the first commander of U. S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) as a unified combatant command and Director, National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Security Service (CSS).

“General Nakasone’s tenure at Cyber Command and NSA has been nothing short of remarkable. His visionary leadership reshaped the national security landscape, enhancing our cyber defenses through innovative strategies like ‘Persistent Engagement’ and ‘Hunt Forward.’ His steadfast commitment to partnership and collaboration, with industry, agencies, and allies alike, underscores his unwavering dedication to the defense and prosperity of our nation,” said INSA Chairwoman Letitia Long. “With gratitude for his exceptional service, we look forward to honoring Paul at the Baker dinner this summer.”

GEN Nakasone assumed command of USCYBERCOM in 2018 when the organization was elevated to a unified combatant command, steering it into a new era for military cyber operations. Under his leadership, the Command implemented ‘persistent engagement,’ and ‘hunt forward operations’, paradigm shifts that reshaped the military’s doctrine for joint cyberspace operations.

At NSA, his accomplishments include a robust commitment to partnership and information sharing. In 2019, he established NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate to unify the agency’s foreign intelligence and cyber defense missions, with the goal to quickly declassify threat intelligence to share with partners and the Defense Industrial Base.

In a first for the agency, GEN Nakasone launched the public-facing Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (CCC) in 2022, which allowed cybersecurity experts from a range of industries to sit side-by-side with NSA analysts, sharing insights, tradecraft, and threat information. By the end of 2023, the CCC had tripled its partnerships and scaled its cybersecurity as a service program to include small-to-medium businesses within the DIB – increasing enrollments by 400 percent.

Other key leadership assignments included serving as Commander, U.S. Army Cyber Command and Commander Cyber National Mission Force at U.S. Cyber Command. Over his career, GEN Nakasone held leadership roles at the company, battalion, and brigade levels and served as the senior intelligence officer in numerous assignments. Overseas, he served in Joint and Army assignments in the Republic of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His most recent overseas posting was as the Director of Intelligence, J2, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Throughout his career, GEN Nakasone earned numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Defense Superior Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

“I am honored to join the impressive list of outstanding individuals who have received the William Oliver Baker Award over the past four decades,” said GEN Nakasone. “I applaud Dr. Baker’s pioneering ways in telecommunications along with his efforts to unify public and private sections in support of national security. I will proudly share this prestigious award with the Command and Agency’s dedicated team members who work hard each day to solve the nation’s most difficult problems.”

Source: INSA

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Six directors were elected to serve three-year terms and one was appointed to fill a vacancy for a two-year term.

The new board members are:

• Linda Bixby, Executive Vice President, Academic Partnerships, NobleReach Foundation
• John DeSimone, President, Cyber Security, Intelligence and Services, RTX
• Barbara Haines-Parmele, Vice President and Division Manager, National Intelligence Solutions, ManTech
• Gordon Hannah, Principal, Deloitte
• Michael LaRouche, Business President and Board member (*appointed to a two-year term)
• Al Perez, President, Ariel Secure Technologies
• Roy Stevens, President, National Security Sector, Leidos

“We are honored to welcome such a dedicated and skilled group of leaders to our board,” said Long. “With an existing wealth of experience and expertise among our directors, the addition of our new colleagues promises to infuse fresh perspectives, ignite new ideas, and deliver even greater outcomes.”

Source: INSA

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Each of the awards is named after a recipient of the William Oliver Baker Award, which INSA presents annually to an extraordinary leader for sustained contributions to excellence in intelligence and national security affairs.

In June 2023, INSA announced the Achievement Awards would be renamed after The Hon. Charlie Allen, former Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, legendary CIA officer, and 2002 Baker Award recipient, to honor Mr. Allen’s lifelong commitment to the U.S. intelligence and national security workforce.

“Charlie Allen’s tireless work ethic, love of country, and unparalleled analytic expertise inspires others to be more and do more,” said INSA Chairwoman Letitia A. Long. “By naming these awards after him, we hope to inspire our future leaders to dream bigger, push harder, and to live a life of service and purpose.”

Nominations are due COB on Tuesday, October 31.

About the 2024 INSA Achievement Awards

The Richard J. Kerr Government Award

Open to civilian government employees up to and including GS-13 and equivalent rank.

The John W. Warner Homeland Security Award

Open to law enforcement professionals, intelligence analysts, and first responders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies at levels up to federal GS-13 or equivalent.

The Edwin H. Land Industry Award

Open to contractors and nongovernment employees with eight to ten years of nonexecutive experience.

The Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award

Open to public, private, and academic professionals up to and including GS-15/O-6 and equivalent rank.

The William O. Studeman Military Award

Open to uniformed military personnel up to and including 0-4/E-7.

The Sidney D. Drell Science & Technology Award

Open to researchers conducting innovative scientific or technological R&D whose applications have the potential to make significant impacts in intelligence, defense, and/or homeland security.

Source: INSA

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