Intelligence Career Conversations

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Lena Andrews, Associate Research Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland. Tune in to hear Ms. Andrews discuss how earning her PhD impacted her decision to join the CIA  and the motivation for publishing her book "Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II.” 

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Host Jim Donnelly is joined by Doug Keating, VP of Business Development, Virbrint. Tune in to hear Mr. Keating discuss his journey from an Army Officer to a private sector leader, offers insights into resources for career development opportunities, and the impact of emerging technologies on the intelligence community and future workforce.

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnely welcomes Tish Rourke, VP for Cyber and Intelligence, Rotary Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin. Tune in to hear Ms. Rourke discuss the importance of taking calculated risks in career development, building diverse teams, the growing demand for cyber-related roles in national security, and more!

On this episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Karissa Calvo, Communications and Strategy Lead, Enterprise Security Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Tune in as Karissa discusses the importance of keeping connections, emotional intelligence, and a few challenges facing the IC workforce today. 

On this week’s episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Jamie Jones Miller, Northeastern University’s inaugural CEO and Regional Dean of the Arlington, Virginia campus. Tune in to hear Ms. Miller discuss her two major career shifts, the importance of investing in people, future demand for well-rounded individuals in the IC workforce, and more. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Ev...

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by America Cammarota, Assessment Strategist Lead, OUSD(I&S). Tune in to hear Ms. Cammarota discuss her transition from the military to a civilian career (including a European backpacking trip), her love for learning, and advice for young professionals looking to embark on an IC career! Thank you to ou...

On this week's episode of the ICC podcast, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Army Veteran and INSA Fellow, Lindsay Heisler. Tune in to hear Ms. Heisler discuss her time in the U.S. Army as an Aviation Officer and Apache helicopter pilot, mentors that helped shape her career, the value of servant leadership, and more. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Everfox !

On this week's episode of the ICC podcast host Jim Donelly is joined by COL Candice Frost, USA (Ret.), Director, DoD Integrated Account, Nightwing. Ms. Frost shares her journey from the military to private sector. She also speaks on the importance of being a life-long learner, creating  change within large organizations, and more! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Nightwing !

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Lindy Kyzer, Director of Content and PR, ClearanceJobs. Tune in to hear Lindy share her experience being a “professional intern” in college, the importance of a curious attitude, her love for the mission, and more. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Nightwing !

On this week's episode host Jim Donnelly is joined by Danielle James, Assistant Director, Training and Workforce Development Directorate, NCIS. Tune in to hear her discuss her career journey, educational background including the benefits of attending an HBCU, important mentorship relationships, and more! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Nightwing !

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly welcomes Jennifer Finley, Communications & Networking Systems Assistant Group Supervisor, Johns Hopkins APL. Listen in as Ms. Finley shares her path into the IC including her educational background in engineering and internship opportunity. She also offers advice to young professionals and describes a variety of technical and soft skills that ha...

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Brian Cooney, Associate Director, Defense and Security Segment, Guidehouse.  Tune in as he discusses his passion for working in the IC, educational background and commitment to continuous learning, importance of relationship building, and more. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Nightwing !

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Kaitlin Kiser, Deputy Director, ISR Education, LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education. Tune in as she describes key career pivot points, her passion for her work, important skills she’s developed to be successful, future workforce challenges, and more! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Nightwing !

This week we welcomed Dr. John Ballard, President, National Intelligence University, on the Intelligence Career Conversations Podcast. Dr. Ballard shares his journey through academia in the IC and highlights unique distinctions NIU offers its students. He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, finding mentors, and building strong relationships. 

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, we are excited to welcome Nazaret Berhane, Program Manager, Human Capital Office, IC Centers for Academic Excellence, ODNI! Tune in to this special episode to hear Ms. Berhane share her career journey as a neurodiverse individual in the IC from FBI to ODNI, her passion for creating a diverse workforce and mentoring the next generati...

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, Jim Donnelly is joined by Cortney Weinbaum, Senior National Security Researcher, RAND Corporation. Tune in to hear Ms. Weinbaum discuss her career journey from DIA to RAND Corp., the significance of a STEM degree, passion for her work, challenges facing the IC workforce...and more!

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, Jim Donnelly is joined by Stacie Bohanan, Principal Research Scientist III, University of Alabama in Huntsville. Tune in to hear her share how she kick started her career at FBI. She also spoke on mentorship, importance of cultivating your network, advanced degrees vs. certifications, transitioning from the public to private sector…and more.

On this week's episode John Atwell, author and editor for the Association of Former Intelligence Officers e-magazine, discusses his 20+ year career at the CIA, from navigating new roles and responsibilities to developing technical and soft skills sets, to lessons learned and key takeaways!

Tune in to hear Stephanie Leung, Senior Director for Growth and Business Development, GDIT discuss how she got started in the IC, the role her education played in her career, transitioning from public to private sector, mentors she's had and mentee relationships, and more!

On this special episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations Podcast, we welcome Stephanie La Rue, Chief, IC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility officer, ODNI! Moderated by Bishop Garrison, VP for Policy INSA, Ms. La Rue shares her responsibilities and projects in her current position, the role her mentors have played in her career journey, how the IC is working to meet diversity a...

On this episode of the ICC podcast, we welcomed Dominique Cooper! Ms. Cooper shares her career trajectory, from NGA to Silicon Valley to a DIB contractor. She also delves into her mentorships and how she obtained and cultivated these relationships. 

On this week's episode of the ICC Podcast, Trent Teyema, Founder & President, CSG Strategies, Inc. joins host Jim Donnely to discuss his career in the intelligence community. Tune in to hear Mr. Teyema, share his inspiration for joining the IC and the steps he took to realize his dream of joining the FBI. He also shares advice for young professionals seeking to serve in government and sen...

On this episode of the ICC, Jim Donnelly is joined by Nicole Pilkus, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Policy and Strategy, NRO. Ms. Pilkus discusses her 25+ year career journey including her educational path, goal-setting tips, evolving expectations of the workforce...and more!

On this episode of the ICC podcast, we are pleased to welcome Sarah McPeak, Lead Technical Specialist, Maxar, to discuss her academic journey, decision to pursue a career in geospatial intelligence, time in the Army and transition to the private sector, commitment to continuous learning, and more! 

On this episode of the ICC podcast, Bishop Garrison, VP for Policy, INSA, explores his career path, navigating the shift from military service to the private and public sectors. He shares insights on effective mentorship, offers guidance for aspiring mentors and young professionals, valuable advice, and more!