Our Team

Our Board

A key to our success is having an incredibly strong board with deep domain expertise and passion for helping to develop the next generation of professionals.

Christopher B. Johnstone is senior adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Johnstone served in government for 25 years in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific.

 

Johnny Sawyer is founder and chief executive officer of The Sawyer Group, a consulting firm focused on partnering with organizations to deliver tailor-made practical defense, intelligence and strategic management solutions. Following a distinguished 22-year military career as a U.S. Army officer, he joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2001 and served in multiple positions of increased responsibility during his 20-year tenure there. 

Mike Lyden, TAG’s Vice President of Threat Intelligence,  oversees the TAG Threat Exchange. Mike spent 17 years as a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, where he most recently served as the Senior Intelligence Officer and Associate Director for Intelligence Management for the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), a federal law enforcement organization.

Anne Steen

Director

Anne specializes in advising executives and emerging leaders who understand that thriving in a global economy and tech-oriented culture means evolving ahead of change. An established leader in the nonprofit sector, Anne developed her deep expertise by leading large and small teams through challenging situations in their respective organizations. 

Janelle is the Vice President of Cyberspace Operations at CACI, Inc, where she focuses on establishing the cyberspace strategy and partnering across disparate business units to plan, execute, and deliver a comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio . Prior to joining CACI, Janelle served at the National Security Agency for 27 years where she completed global assignments and led a vast array of research, development, and operational organizations as a member of the Senior Executive Service. Janelle has expertise in developing processing and cyber exploitation tools and techniques and conducting research in the areas of advanced networking, computing, and cybersecurity. 

Our Leadership

Expertise. Insight. Experience. 

Michael Cassidy

Founder & Executive Director

Michael enjoys two-decades of experience working across the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community in various analytical, operational, program management and leadership coaching roles.

Erin (Creasy) Ferree

Chief Engagement Officer

Since 2004, Erin has coached and consulted with passionate public servants, emerging leaders, career pivoters and discerning hiring managers, with a special emphasis on the Washington D.C. area & US Government and international affairs talent markets.

Our Coaches & Trainers

Krystin Borgognone​

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Krystin Borgognone​

During her eleven-plus years at the Department of State, Krystin has worked on high-profile, complex and sensitive U.S. programs including the Merida Initiative with Mexico; U.S. re-engagement with Burma; Afghanistan and Pakistan; Plan Colombia, and the Central American Regional Security Initiative.

Alani Bankhead

Law enforcement

Alani Bankhead

Alani Bankhead is a career special agent and professional coach, consultant, and speaker, with a career spanning almost two decades in federal and state government as a supervisory special agent. Alani currently works coaching individuals and teams to achieve their highest potential and still serves as a Lieutenant Colonel and Agent in the US Air Force. She is also the co-founder of the Latina Healing Institute.

Melissa McDonough​

PRIVATE SECTOR ANALYSIS​

Melissa McDonough​

Melissa began her career with multiple defense contractors supporting the Intelligence Community. She then joined the growing security and intelligence community in Los Angeles. Melissa has held positions at Walt Disney and SpaceX, Universal Music Group, and Airbnb.

Tina Gaddy

Foreign Affairs specialist

Tina Gaddy

Tina Gaddy has spent the better part of two decades as an industry career coach in the field of International Affairs, Consulting, Non-Profit Management, International Development, and Strategic Advisory. Her background includes Higher Education Administration, Workforce Development, Training, and Event Management.

Claire Campbell

Private Sector Analysis

Claire Campbell

Claire Campbell has over twenty years of experience in global security issues. Prior to her transition to private sector security and intelligence seven years ago, Claire worked as a civilian intelligence officer for ten years with the United States federal government, specializing in terrorism, drug trafficking and criminal threats. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Portuguese.

Kit Thomson​

PUBLIC SECTOR ANALYSIS​

Kit Thomson

After 9/11, Kit followed a call to serve & make an impact on national security. She was previously a senior analyst with DIA's Asia-Pacific Regional Center, the Joint Staff's Afghanistan-Pakistan Task Force during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM & served as the Deputy Defense Intelligence Officer for Cyber.

Heather Salinas

PUBLIC Sector INTELLIGENCE

Heather Salinas

Heather is an experienced national security and intelligence professional with 15 years of experience working in or for Congress. She is particularly interested in helping the United States win the great power competition through policy initiatives aimed at countering disinformation.

Join Our Team of Expert Career Coaches​

Are you skilled in guiding aspiring professionals? We’re looking for experienced career coaches to empower the next generation of leaders in foreign affairs, intelligence, and security. Become a pivotal part of their journey today.