Defense TechConnect

September 22-24, 2026  |  NATIONAL HARBOR, MD
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Plenary & key Speakers

Visionary voices at the forefront of defense innovation and technology.






  SPEAKERS  


Kyle Asman

Founder & Managing Partner, Backswing Ventures

Jaipreet Bindra

Senior Advisor, University of Ottawa

Katie Bornfleth

Marketing Communications Project Manager, TechConnect Division, ATI

Sophie Burkholder

Senior Investment Associate, Innovation Works

Bob Burton

Director of Defense Technologies, North Carolina Military Business Center

Jim Caley

Director of Operational Energy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, US Navy

Conrad Clyburn

Chief Executive Officer, MedForeSight

Krista Covey

CEO & President, First Flight Venture Center

Preeta Datta

Director of Innovation, Americas, Evonik

John David

Chief Transformation Officer, BryceTech

Doug Doan

Founder & General Partner, Hivers & Strivers

Mica Dolan

President & CEO, Advanced Technology International

Jeff Eggers

Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Rsquared

Justin Fanelli

Chief Technology Officer, US Navy

Todd Gillen

Head of Business Development, Fluree AI

Joel Griffin

Co-Founder & President, Riphean Group, Riphean Investments

Daryl Haegley (Invited)

Technical Director, Air & Space Force Cyber Resilience Office for Control Systems, US Air and Space Force

Jason Hay

Director of Technology, BryceTech

Max Hopkins

Business Development Manager, Advanced Technology International (ATI)

Jonathan Jakischa

Principal, Open Innovation, TechConnect Division, ATI

Nick Kacsandi

Senior Business Development & Sales Manager, TechConnect Division, ATI

Matthew Laudon

Vice President, TechConnect, TechConnect Division, ATI

Jonathan Mercado

Principal, First Bight Ventures

Kevin Mish

Program Manager, Abbott on Call

Emma Mooney

Outreach & Project Manger, TechConnect Division, ATI

Laura Murphree

Senior Marketing and Program Manager, TechConnect Division, ATI

Justin Pierce

Strategic Development Manager, Space & Mission Systems, BAE Systems

Jennifer Rocha

Senior Strategic Partnership Manager, TechConnect Division, ATI

Bart Romanowicz

Senior Advisor, TechConnect Division, ATI

Jennifer Shieh (Invited)

Acting Director, Innovation, Small Business Administration

Seth Spergel

Managing Partner, Merlin Ventures

Camille Stebbins

Deputy Director, Advanced Technology International

John Thomas

Partner, Frontera Group

Lily Toto

Senior Associate, Two Lanterns Venture Capital

Sonia Vohnout

Founder & CEO, OppsSpot, LLC

Justin Welch

Operations Director, Idaho National Laboratory

Brent Wells

Senior Project Manager and Research Analyst,, Advanced Technology International (ATI)

Lesley Wilhelm (Invited)

Action Officer - Wargaming, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDT&E), US Navy

Naval Operational Energy Office, Tech Advisor, US Navy

Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Chief Technology Officer, Empower AI

Founder & Managing Partner, Oval Park Capital




 


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