Karen Warack
Member of the Board of Advisors, Virginia Tech National Security Institute

Fusion Expert Network Member

Karen Warack is a widely recognized national security leader with decades of government and industry executive experience in developing a broad range of technical capabilities including cyber tools, space systems, as well as others. As the Founder of Techtonic Shift LLC, she advises companies on mission-driven growth, program pursuit strategies, strategic partnerships, program viability, and the intersection of emerging technology and national security.

A former member of the Central Intelligence Agency Senior Intelligence Service, Ms. Warack served as an Assistant Director of National Intelligence, where she led the Intelligence Community requirements process and cost assessments for major systems acquisitions, as well as strategic studies. During her distinguished intelligence career, she established the Directorate of Digital Innovation’s Office of Acquisition Management at CIA, held senior leadership roles within the Directorate of Science and Technology and the Center for Cyber Intelligence, served as Deputy Director of the Ground Enterprise Directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office, and directed CIA’s In-Q-Tel Interface Center.

Before entering federal civilian service, Ms. Warack held executive leadership roles at Boeing and worked at Lockheed Martin and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (recently acquired by CACI). She began her career as a United States Air Force officer contributing to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Today, Ms. Warack serves on multiple Boards of Directors and advisory organizations, including the AFCEA Intelligence Committee and Virginia Tech National Security Institute Board of Advisors. A highly sought-after speaker and instructor, she is widely respected for her expertise in acquisition, cyber, innovation, space, leadership, and advanced technology development.