An Evening with the Air Force CIO

Lauren Knausenberger is CIO for the Department of the Air Force. Knausenberger leads three directorates: Enterprise Information Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. She supports 20,000 cyber operations and support personnel around the globe with a portfolio valued at $17 billion and provides oversight of the Air Force's IT investment strategy. She also integrates warfighting and mission support capabilities by networking and securing air, space and terrestrial assets.

Knausenberger joined the Air Force in 2017 as chief transformation officer and director of cyberspace innovation to drive innovation across the Defense Department, speed adoption of emerging technologies, and create stronger partnerships between DOD, startups and the venture community. Prior to that, she held a number of roles in the private sector including at American Management Systems, CACI and most recently as founder and president of Accellint Inc., a consulting firm and venture partner with NextGen Angels. Accellint specialized in solving national security problems and investing in commercial technologies that could be applied to a government mission.