Mary O’Brien

Lt Gen USAF (Ret), CEO, Mary O’Brien Strategies LLC

Mary is the CEO of Mary O’Brien Strategies, providing strategic consulting at the intersection of national security, dual-use technology, and corporate governance. Leveraging expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and geopolitical risk and global security trends, she advises clients and organizations on making informed decisions in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environments, and navigating complex challenges in order to expand business development opportunities. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, Mary’s 34-year military career included senior leadership positions in cybersecurity, intelligence, and emerging technology.

As the Director of Intelligence and Cyber Efforts, she oversaw a multi-billion dollar air and space intelligence and IT portfolio and a 73,000-person workforce. An innovator, she pioneered advancements in integrating unmanned aerial vehicles, networked weapons, and advanced intelligence sensors to enhance military capabilities. She is NACD Directorship Certified™, a Qualified Technology Expert (QTE) certified by the Digital Directors Network, and holds the Private Company Governance certification from the Private Directors Association, demonstrating boardroom-ready expertise in corporate governance, cybersecurity, digital strategy, and private company oversight.