Event Open​​

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• The Honorable Susan M. Gordon, Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence; President, Pallas Foundation

• Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP & Bloomberg Philanthropies; Chair, Defense Innovation Board (Virtual)

 

 

Winning Future Wars: Maintaining our Strategic Edge with Next-Gen Capabilities

 

With rising geopolitical tensions globally, the urgency for decisive action, innovative solutions, and collaboration is greater than ever. Over the last decade, there has been significant progress in how our Department of Defense partners with commercial industry. This panel will delve into how commercial emerging technologies have enhanced our defense strategies and set the stage for a workshop focused on increasing non-traditional participants in the defense industrial base.

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• Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

• Alex Karp, Co-Founder & CEO, Palantir

• Thomas Tull, Managing Partner, TWG Global

• Moderator: Norah O'Donnell, Anchor & Managing Editor, "CBS Evening News"

 

 

Closed Breakout Session: Increasing Non-Traditional Participation in the Defense Industrial Base

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​Integrating Commercial Technologies in Frontier Domains

 

Leading experts will explore strategies for rapidly fielding emerging capabilities to warfighters in their operational environments, specifically in the cyber and space domains. Discussions will focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies directly into the hands of users, emphasizing the importance of iterative development and real-world testing to enhance efficiency, address feedback, and ensure readiness for large-scale adoption.

 

Lessons from the Cyber Domain​

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• General Timothy D. Haugh, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service

• Kirsten Davies, Founder & CEO, Institute for Cyber Civics; Former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Unilever

• Nicole Eagan, Chief Strategy Officer & Former CEO, Darktrace

• Moderator: Katrina Manson, Cyber & Emerging Tech Reporter, Bloomberg News

 

Leveraging Industry for the Space Domain

 

• General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force

• Fatih Ozmen, Owner & CEO, Sierra Nevada Corporation

• Moderator: Courtney Albon, Space & Emerging Tech Reporter, C4ISRNET

 

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Networking Lunch

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Tech Talks

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• Troy Demmer, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Gecko Robotics

• Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder, LinkedIn & InflectionAI; Investor, Greylock (Video)

• AJ Piplica, Co-Founder & CEO, Hermeus

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Fireside Chat​

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• Kevin McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

• Moderator: David Westin, Anchor, “Bloomberg Wall Street Week”  

 

Risk-taking, Leading by Example, and Disrupting the Status Quo 

 

As technological advancements accelerate, the U.S. military must cultivate a culture that encourages risk-taking, fosters innovation, and embraces adaptability to stay ahead of future challenges. In this session, you will hear about the critical importance of building an organizational culture that aligns with the demands of modern warfare, including how to create an environment that supports bold ideas, encourages calculated risks, and fosters collaboration.

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• General Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force 

• Admiral James Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy 

• Moderator: Courtney McBride, National Security Correspondent, Bloomberg News

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Closed Breakout Discussions: Metrics that Matter: Defining Success in Defense Innovation

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Coffee Break​

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Powering the Future Force: Scaling Production and Partnership of Autonomous Systems

 

Shaping the future of national defense starts with cultivating visionary leaders equipped to handle evolving security and technology challenges. This panel will focus on talent development within the DoD, spotlighting innovative programs that emphasize education, mentorship, and essential skills. Discussions will explore building a resilient and adaptive future force by fostering next-generation technology-ready leadership.

 

• General Randy A. George, 41st Chief of Staff, U.S. Army

• Brandon Tseng, Co-Founder & President, ShieldAI

• The Honorable Lisa S. Disbrow, 25th Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force

• Moderator: Colin Demarest, Reporter, Future of Defense, Axios​

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Congressional Action in National Security

 

This panel will explore the importance of aligning strategic priorities and enhancing interagency cooperation to address current challenges that cut across the aisle. Discussions will focus on building strong partnerships across government, industry, and academia, emphasizing how bipartisan efforts can strengthen national defense.

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• The Honorable William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, U.S. Department of Defense

• Senator Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator

• Moderator: Peggy Collins, Washington Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News

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Fireside Chat and Closing Remarks 

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• General (R) Mark Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Moderator: Stephanie Ruhle, Host, MSNBC’s The 11th Hour; Senior Business Analyst, MSNBC

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Closing Remarks

• Sally Donnelly, Founding Director, Pallas Foundation

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Networking Reception​​​