Technology and Diplomacy Panel Series

Data Driven Diplomacy

November 2nd, 2022
12 to 1 p.m. EDT
Washington, DC
In-Person Panel Discussion & Networking Event

Explore how technology and data are transforming and enhancing our approach to diplomacy. In this compelling one-hour panel discussion, followed by a networking event, experts from across academia, government, and industry will discuss the impact of data-driven strategies on high-priority, high-visibility mission and management topics.

Join us on Wednesday, November 2nd to hear from:

Laura Williams, Director Of Analytics, Center for Analytics, U.S. Department of State
Carol Kuntz, Professorial Lecturer, Policy Implications of Artificial Intelligence, George Washington University and Georgetown University
Dave Vennergrund, Vice President, AI and Data Insights, GDIT
Nisa Moore (moderator), Business Area Vice President, Diplomacy, GDIT

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during this time.

The Data Driven Diplomacy event is part of the Technology and Diplomacy series hosted by GDIT and The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. The series brings together industry, academia, and government to discuss important transnational issues that impact our national security and the vital diplomatic interest of the United States. Please note: this event is only open to registrants from the Federal government, The George Washington University, and GDIT.

By submitting your contact information such as your email address and phone number during the registration process, you agree that GDIT and its event partners may send you event-related and other marketing information. You may opt-out at any time by contacting us.

Please contact zanub.abulaban@gdit.com for more information.

Speakers

Laura Williams is a member of the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service. Laura currently serves as the Director of Analytics in the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions’ Center for Analytics where she leads a team of 70 data scientists and project managers who work to transform data into bold insights across the Department’s top foreign policy and management areas.
Over the course of her more than 20-year career with the Department, Laura has served in American Embassies in Nicosia, Algiers, Rome, and Mexico City. Her diverse portfolio also includes assignments at Headquarters in Washington D.C. in the IT bureau, the Secretary’s 24/7 Operations Center, the Recruitment Office, the Foreign Service Institute training center, and more.

An Information Management Specialist, Laura has managed the full suite of information technology platforms that connect U.S. embassies with Washington D.C. and the world. She has worked to secure the Department of State's sensitive data and harnessed innovative technology to amplify its mission. Laura has led TechCamps to strengthen civil society organizations and women entrepreneurs in Latin America, fostered data literacy for diplomats, and managed the policy team that works to enable a secure and resilient digital economy.

Laura holds a BA in International Relations from American University and earned the Chief Information Officer’s certificate from the National Defense University.  When not working, Laura enjoys gardening and hiking with her family.

Carol Kuntz teaches on the policy implications of artificial intelligence at George Washington and Georgetown Universities and conducts research as an adjunct fellow in the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Dr. Kuntz served in the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for more than 30 years. Her work particularly focused on identifying changes in the strategic and technological environment and crafting new policies and programs given those changes.
In the several years before Covid-19 emerged, she sought to embed cutting-edge biotechnologies into the DOD’s biodefense program to strengthen its ability to rapidly configure vaccines to protect against novel pathogens. For the five years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, Dr. Kuntz served as the homeland security advisor to the vice president of the United States. At the end of the Cold War in 1989, she worked with top DOD officials to craft a new defense strategy to replace the post-World War II strategy of containment.
Dr. Kuntz received her PhD in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received her MPA from Princeton University and her BA from Cornell University. Dr. Kuntz received numerous awards over the course of her government career, including twice receiving the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service. Her most recent publication is a CSIS report on “Genomes: The Era of Purposeful Manipulation Begins."

Dave Vennergrund is a Data Scientist, and Distinguished Technologist at GDIT. He is the director of GDIT’s AI and Data Insights consulting practice which focuses on AI/ML, Big Data, Cloud Native Analytics, Data Science, and Modern Data Management. Dave leads the GDIT’s AI and Data Insights Centers of Excellence – a network of over 600 employees. Over his career, Dave has built AI, data mining, business intelligence, and business analytics Centers of Excellence, Special Interest Groups, and Innovation Centers.

Dave has more than twenty-five years of hands on Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, data science, IT management, and R&D experience. Dave is an industry expert in AI/ML, predictive analytics, fraud detection, and data science. He leads successful AI/ML, predictive analytics and Big data programs across Intelligence, Defense, and Federal agencies including a Deep Learning-based Skin Lesion Image Classifier for Veterans Health, Cloud-Native Data Lakes and Data Science for Navy mission and personnel management, predictive analytics for EPA, HUD and DOI missions; and AI/ML-driven fraud prevention at IRS, USDA, CMS, VA, DFAS, and OPM.

Dave earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Illinois, and his Master of Science in Computer Science from Arizona State University. His thesis applied Artificial Intelligence to Software Engineering to improve Software Maintenance efficiency.

Nisa Moore is Business Area Vice President of Diplomacy for General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), known for their delivery of critical mission capabilities across federal civilian agencies. Nisa leads a portfolio valued at over $3.5B of key programs advancing the interests of the American people. Her leadership encompasses global supply chain management, security engineering, cloud, cyber, threat reduction, and service delivery. She is an industry recognized leader who was recently awarded the Supply Chain Industry Executive of the Year by WashingtonExec, Corporate Large-Market Sector by Women in Technology (WIT), and elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the global leader in supply chain organizational transformation, innovation, and leadership

Nisa has played an instrumental role in leading GDIT for more than two decades. She sponsored implementation of an enterprise-wide Tier I warehouse management system that revolutionized IT modernization and reduced supply chain risk. Her creativity and resiliency drove transformation in cyber, cloud, and supply chain risk as she pivoted to leading virtual worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and as such has been featured as a thought leader for government matters concerning the pandemic.

Nisa values a people- first culture driving diversity of thought which she applies as the Executive Sponsor for GDIT’s employee resource group, ForWARD (For Women’s Advancement, Recognition and Development), and as a member of the WashingtonExec Women Leadership Council and Chief, an organization specifically designed for the most powerful women executives to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them.

Nisa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising Management with a minor in Business Management (Virginia Tech), a Masters in Supply Chain Management and Logistics (Michigan State) and is a graduate of The Leadership Foundry - WIT program.