Who We Are

Abigail Kukura is a Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Abigail worked as a consultant on national security issues and she previously worked at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Abigail holds a B.A. in International Affairs from the George Washington University and an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Angela Arriola Ponmakha is the Vice President and Chief of Staff of the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to joining SCSP, Angela served as the Director of Operations and Designated Federal Officer for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. During her role at NSCAI, she ensured the Commission was in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Prior to joining NSCAI as its third staff member, she served as the Chief of Staff for the Defense Innovation Unit. Over her 20+ career, Ms. Ponmakha has served in various government and private sector positions, leading organizational management and operations staff.

Ariana Orne is the Director of Communications for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to the SCSP, Ariana served the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence as an Operations and Management Analyst and as an assistant in the Public Affairs and Communications office. She received her B.S. in the Social Sciences from Jacksonville University and her M.A. in Strategic Communications from American University. Most recently, she received a professional certificate on Interpersonal Communications: Strategies for Executives from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to NSCAI, Ariana worked in communications with multiple nonprofit organizations.

Ben Bain is a Director for Research and Analysis at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Ben held roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, the Department of Defense, the XPRIZE Foundation, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a MA in Security Studies from Georgetown University.

Brady Helwig is an Associate Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, he worked as a Research Associate at the Hudson Institute, supporting the work of the Hamilton Commission on Securing America’s National Security Innovation Base. Brady holds a B.A. from Hillsdale College.

Brandon Mckee serves as the Senior Director of Governmental Affairs for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, he served as the Director for Legislative Affairs at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. He has also served in the U.S. Department of Labor, on staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, and worked previously in the private sector.

Chelsea Holt is a Special Advisor for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Chelsea served as the Special Assistant to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. Before joining the NSCAI, she worked for the president of Texas A&M University, where she graduated in 2015. 

Chuck Howell is a Senior Director focused on emerging technologies’ impacts on society. Prior to SCSP, Chuck was Chief Scientist for Responsible A.I. at the MITRE Corporation. In this role he supported the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence line of effort on Responsible AI and Ethics.  Chuck has over 30 years of experience working in High Assurance Systems Engineering and A.I. Chuck is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.

David is the Senior Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project. David joined SCSP after more than a decade serving in the U.S. Government, most recently as an economic-coned Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State where he focused on China and technology issues. David also previously worked at the Computer Sciences Corporation (now known as DXC Technology) helping launch technology modernization initiatives in support of government clients. David holds a MA in Security Policy Studies and a BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University. 

Hina is a Director for Foreign Policy at SCSP. Prior to joining SCSP, she was a Manager for Cyber and Strategic Risk at Deloitte, serving government clients. Before joining Deloitte, Hina held roles across the USG as a Presidential Management Fellow, including at FEMA, DHS HQ, and at the National Security Council at the White House. Through her education and various roles, she has focused on climate change, cybersecurity policy, national security, homeland security,and immigration issues. Hina earned her BA from American University in Justice, Law, and Society. She also holds an MA from American University, focusing on Terrorism and Security Policy.

Jenilee is the Senior Director of Government Affairs for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to joining SCSP, she held various roles within the U.S. Department of Commerce, including as Senior AI Policy Advisor for NIST, legislative attorney in the Office of the General Counsel, and Associate Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. With more than 16 years of federal service, Jenilee also was Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and staff for the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Jafer Ahmad is a Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project. His experience includes leading policy and government programs at venture-backed startups focused on computer vision and geospatial intelligence capabilities; managing strategic engagement and communications at DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit; coordinating international technology and trade initiatives at the Pentagon; and research in Islamic law, philosophy, and scriptural exegesis as a Fulbright Fellow in Jordan. He earned a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Maryland, and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University – SAIS. He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Jamie Tomberlin is the Operations Director for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to the SCSP, Jamie served the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence as an Operations Specialist. Over her 20+ year career, Ms. Tomberlin has served in various private sector positions, leading programs and supporting company-wide initiatives.

Jennifer is the Senior Director of Operations with SCSP. Prior to joining SCSP, she was the Deputy Director of Protocol at Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Tampa, FL. In addition to her Combatant Command experience, Jennifer has spent the last 30+ years of federal service supporting two National Security Advisors, three Secretaries of Defense, and three Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She is a U.S. Army Veteran.

Joe Wang serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as a Senior Advisor. Prior to SCSP, he was a Senior Advisor at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and had previously served on the National Security Council staff as Director for Russia and as Deputy Senior Director for Europe and Russia. At the U.S. Department of State, Joe has also served as Senior Advisor to the Coordinator for Sanctions Policy, Special Assistant to the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and other positions in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Economics and Psychology, and from Georgetown University with a Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS).

Justin Lynch serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as a Senior Director for Defense. Justin Lynch served as an active-duty army officer before transitioning to the Army National Guard. As a civilian, he has served in multiple roles in the national security enterprise including a Director of Research and Analysis at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, as House Armed Services Committee staff, and at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. He is a Council on Foreign Relations term member and a Nonresident Fellow at the Modern War Institute.

Katherine Kurata serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as a Director for Intelligence. Prior to SCSP, Katherine was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova and later worked as a research assistant at the Center for European Policy & Analysis, Center for Strategic & International Studies and the Global Taiwan Institute. Katherine holds a BA in Political Science and International Affairs from Gettysburg College in addition to a MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Katie Stolarczyk is a Project Coordinator at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Previously she was an Associate Director for Research and Analysis on the Economy Panel and before that, Special Assistant to the CEO. Prior to joining SCSP, she served as an Operations and Management Analyst at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence as well as a research intern to the Workforce Development and Talent Management research team. Prior to NSCAI, she interned at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism on the Weapons and Tactics team. She received her B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and has an A.A.S. in Intelligence Analytics from Anne Arundel Community College.

Lauren Naniche is an Associate Director for Foreign Policy for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Lauren was a research intern in National Security and Technology at Hudson Institute, and briefly in Transatlantic Defense and Security at the Center for European Policy Analysis. Lauren holds a B.A. in Political Science, Economics and Russian language from McGill University.

Luke is a Director for Defense at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Luke worked in the U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s state office and in policy for multiple nonprofits. Through his education and various roles, he has focused on agricultural safety and health, homeland security, and immigration issues. Luke holds a B.A. in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Security Studies at Georgetown University.

Liza Tobin is the Senior Director for Economy. Prior to joining SCSP, Liza served on the National Security Council staff as China Director, where she led the development of multiple US strategies and policies related to China, including on trade and economics, climate and the environment, military issues, and China’s influence beyond the Indo-Pacific. Prior to serving at the NSC, Liza worked for more than a decade in various capacities as a China specialist for the U.S. Government, including as a senior advisor at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and as an economic analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as in various roles in the private sector and academia. She holds an M.A. in international relations with concentrations in China studies and international economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, a graduate certificate at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, and a B.A. in China studies and biblical studies from Gordon College. 

Meaghan Waff serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as an Associate Director for Intelligence. Prior to SCSP, Meaghan was a Fulbright Grantee in Malaysia and previously worked under the Department of Commerce and U.S. Congress. She holds a BA in International Studies and Spanish Language and Literature from Rhodes College in addition to a M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Meaghan also completed the General Course program at the London School of Economics.

Michael Gable is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to joining SCSP, Michael was the Chief of Staff for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. Prior to standing up and joining NSCAI, he served as the Director of Operations and Designated Federal Officer for the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Board. In his 25+ year career in federal service, he has held leadership positions in all levels of the U.S. Government across multiple Departments and agencies, primarily as a civilian, but also as a former Air Force officer.

Michael Garris is a Senior Technical Advisor focused on emerging technologies’ impacts on society. Mike serves the SCSP through a collaboration with the MITRE Corporation where he is a Senior Technical Advisor for AI and Autonomy. He is retired from the National Institute of Standards and Technology having devoted 34 years to areas of AI, image processing, pattern recognition, and biometrics. While in federal service, Mike served and led several interagency science and technology groups out of the White House, and he was honored to serve as the Chief Technical Advisor to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. Mike has a BS in Computer Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and a MS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins. A fun fact – Michael was technical lead of a small team in the early 90’s that collected the original handprint character image dataset now called MNIST, which is used as a worldwide machine learning benchmark.

Michael Lueptow is the Legal Director for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to joining SCSP, Michael served as the General Counsel for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. He also previously served on staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs—including as Chief Counsel for Homeland Security—and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Dr. PJ Maykish serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as a Senior Advisor. Prior to the SCSP, PJ was the Director for Technology Competition at the National Security Council. He directed classified research for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence from 2019-2021. PJ developed “Third Offset” technology solutions for DoD deterrence credibility issues in the Strategy Office for the Secretary of Defense (OSD-P/SFD) from 2015-2017 and has 24 years of experience in military operations including Commander of U.S. Central Command’s Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) from 2017-2019.

Rama G. Elluru serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as Senior Director for Society and Intellectual Property, focusing on emerging technology and AI governance. Prior to SCSP, Rama was a Director of Research and Analysis at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) focused on Responsible AI and Intellectual Property. She was detailed to NSCAI from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where she served as an Administrative Patent Judge. She has been practicing Intellectual Property law for more than 20 years. She holds a B.S. in Computer Science/Philosophy from Trinity University, J.D. from the Washington and Lee School of Law, and M.Sc. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from Georgetown University.

Dr. Ryan Carpenter serves as a Special Advisor for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, he served as a Program Analyst at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He has also served at the National Security Council, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and the Department of Defense.

Sarah Johnson is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to the SCSP, Sarah was an attorney for the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. She received her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School and has previously worked with multiple federal agencies including NASA and the Department of Justice.

Tara Rigler serves as the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Tara served as the Director of Strategy, Communication and Engagement at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI). Prior to joining NSCAI, Tara was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and served as the Assistant Director for Communications for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in addition to many other senior communications roles during her 22 years of federal service.

Will Moreland is a Director for Foreign Policy at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Previously, Will served as a project manager and associate fellow with the Brookings Institution’s Foreign Policy Program. There his work centered on U.S. alliances and engagement in multilateral institutions amid resurgent geopolitics. He has experience with the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, and the Treasury. Will holds an M.S. in Foreign Service (MSFS) and J.D. from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Yale University. 

Ylber serves the Special Competitive Studies Project as a Senior Advisor, with focus on defense and intelligence matters, as well as special projects.  Previously, he served as a Geopolitical Strategist with the Investment Strategy Group at Goldman Sachs.  Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Ylber spent 13 years with the US Department of Defense and the White House. During that time, he served as a Senior Fellow in the Office of Net Assessment, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy to the Secretary of Defense, and several different roles dealing with US policy towards the Middle East.  Ylber is the recipient of the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal – the highest award given to career DoD civilian employees.  He earned a BA in International Relations from American University, a Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and an MS in National Security Strategy from the National War College.