PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Accomplished Trust & Safety professional with over a decade of varied international experience spanning tech companies and the public sector. As the Founder of SOFTII Consulting and a former Psychological Operations officer, I leverage my deep understanding of influence operations and extremist spaces to detect and mitigate digital threats. My role at Meta/Facebook honed my ability to tackle complex challenges across areas like child safety, fraud, hate speech, and disinformation. I collaborate cross-functionally, operating with integrity to build inclusive solutions that balance user trust and security. Proven excellence in designing and leading complex operations, fostering data-driven safety strategies, and guiding cross-functional teams. Committed to a people-centric leadership model, I prioritize collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that user trust and operational security are at the forefront in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
KEY SKILLS
Complex Problem Solving
Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and use data to drive decisions, manage projects, and streamline operations.
Strategic Vision
Adept at setting strategies aligned with business objectives and executing them across global teams.
Leadership & People Development
Track record of leading, managing, and developing teams across diverse roles, responsibilities, and skill sets. Skilled in mentoring, fostering an inclusive culture, and inspiring teams to exceed their goals.
Communication & Collaboration
Exceptional skills in driving alignment, collaboration, and communication with wider functional stakeholder groups across various industries and cultures.
Adaptability
Demonstrated success in managing performance under conditions of ambiguity and constant change.
Program Manager
Leveraging over a decade of experience in high-stakes environments, I excel at orchestrating large-scale projects, leading cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives to successful outcomes, all while fostering an inclusive work environment.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
JT4 (2023-Present)
Senior Technical Staff, Aug 23 – Present
As a Senior Technical Staff member I liaise with the national intelligence community on developments in science, technology, engineering, and weapons systems. Directly interfaced with intelligence community members and senior leaders to provide technical consultation from initial inquiry through final design and testing. Maintained extensive libraries of technical data and documentation. Led specialized teams in employing analytical thinking and social science principles to provide intelligence analysis and develop technical specifications, drawings, and schematics. Coordinated across agencies and guided technical committees. Applied influence skills to align technological development with broader strategic objectives. Performed additional duties as assigned.
SOFTII Consulting LLC (2023-Present)
Founder, Lead Consultant, May 23 – Present
As the Founder and Lead Consultant of SOFTII Consulting, I established a consulting firm specializing in Trust & Safety Advisory, Red Team Operations, Fraud Prevention & Mitigation, and Child Safety Safeguards. Leveraging my extensive experience from Meta/Facebook and the US Air Force, I have been pivotal in assisting multiple international companies in fortifying their digital and operational landscapes.
Impact:
Successfully identified child safety threats across social media platforms which led to several high-profile U.S. litigations.
Led in-depth risk assessments that resulted in policies and guidelines improving user trust and safety.
Conducted rigorous user/vendor due diligence to mitigate risks and uphold client reputational integrity.
Spearheaded continuous monitoring and improvement initiatives, ensuring adaptability to evolving threats.
Orchestrated simulated attacks and threat modeling exercises, revealing critical vulnerabilities in client systems.
Devised and implemented fraud prevention strategies, enhancing early detection and rapid response mechanisms.
Meta (Facebook/IG/Oculus/Horizon) (2021-2023)
Senior Safety Investigator, Global Risk Operations, May 21 – May 23
As a Global Risk Operations Senior Investigator, I comprehensively address an array of threats including misinformation, influence operations, child safety issues, fraud, and mental health concerns across multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Oculus, WhatsApp, and Horizon Worlds. By leveraging my deep understanding of these threats, I collaborate with cross-functional teams to devise and implement data-driven policy recommendations and innovative product solutions, driving the minimization of risks and shaping the future direction of the company.
Impact:
Led the strategic implementation of malicious actor behavioral signals, enhancing global election integrity and reducing potential risks.
Collaborated with various Meta stakeholders, providing essential insights on COVID-19 misinformation that directly influenced The Oversight Board's critical decision-making processes.
Initiated and identified significant intelligence-sharing gaps, coordinating with cross-functional teams to establish cross-industry signal-sharing pipelines, thus enhancing overall industry cooperation and intelligence efficiency.
Discovered and addressed critical policy gaps that affected multiple teams, leading interdepartmental working groups to develop data-driven, recidivist proposals that streamlined operations.
Took proactive measures to identify influence operation networks, driving key policy and product changes across Meta, thus increasing platform security.
Pioneered a novel investigative capability to fully comprehend the scope of fraud/influence operations across Meta platforms, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of threat response strategies.
United States Air Force (2013-2021)
Captain, Flight Commander, Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence Red Team Lead, Nov 19 – May 21
As the Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence Red Team Lead, I led an intelligence team focused on identifying, replicating, and teaching adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures related to cyber threats and information operations against the United States. My responsibilities included identifying potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, creating strategic messages to influence target audiences' behavior and objective reasoning, and leading the cybersecurity intelligence program for the Information Aggressor Squadron.
Impact:
Orchestrated the development of 10 specialized DoD reports, unearthing adversary information operation tactics and enhancing defense strategies.
Empowered over 150 personnel through tactical training at the Air Combat Command’s operational exercise, strengthening system resilience by identifying and replicating social engineering vulnerabilities.
Detected a crucial organizational capability gap and spearheaded a $1M contract, bolstering defensive capabilities through improved replication of adversary tactics.
Contributed to the body of knowledge on information operation tactics amid COVID-19 by co-authoring two peer-reviewed journal articles, aiding in the development of effective countermeasures.
Operations Center Director, Kuwait Aug 2020 – Nov 2020
As the Operations Center Director my job was to lead a 30-member team to conduct 24/7 mobility and combat operations out of Ali Al Salem Air Base. Additionally, as the Information Operation subject matter expert, I was tasked to identify potential vulnerabilities as it relates to operations security.
Impact:
Led in the Development and implementation of Deception in Support of Operations Security plan, successfully safeguarding critical Central Command assets valued over $1 billion.
Directed and executed an impressive record of 3,572 sorties and over 13 thousand flying hours, facilitating the movement of over two million pounds of cargo and leading operations that resulted in 1,913 enemy casualties.
Enhanced inter-service collaboration by supporting a diverse command of over 750 military personnel, utilizing 34 Special Operations aircraft from two groups with 11 squadrons, and coordinating with other joint and combined units.
Oversaw the successful coordination of 27 critical medical evacuations, ensuring timely and effective emergency care for 135 personnel, thereby preventing any loss of life.
Captain, Deputy Director of Information Operations, Aug 16 – Nov 19
As Deputy Director of Information Operations, I conveyed selected information to specific target audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of individuals, organizations, and groups. I created communication strategies employing various organizations throughout the DoD to achieve the desired objective. Additionally, I analyzed the information environment using social media analytic tools to identify populace sentiment and potential outreach opportunities to influence the desired target audience.
Impact:
Identified adversaries' influence tactics and intent, crafting a rapid approach with the Department of State, which protected a $270M military program.
Pioneered the first $9M Air Force Information Operations contract to effectively counter state-sponsored anti-US propaganda, enhancing national security.
Acted as a critical liaison during a pivotal trilateral coalition airstrike, synchronizing command and control operations and reducing Syrian chemical weapons capabilities.
Conducted comprehensive assessments that established information operation command and control structures across 105 nations, enhancing global operational efficiency.
Initiated a $7.5 million solution to bolster influence operations, safeguarding vulnerable populations from malign influences.
Designed and implemented Joint Forces Commander information operation products and intelligence requirements across 53 nations, increasing operational synergy and effectiveness.
Formulated psychological operations concepts that steered the most extensive DoD combat plans exercise, enhancing preparedness.
Established an information environment analysis training program by leveraging social media analytics with intelligence teams, revealing nine strategies to disrupt adversary narratives.
Lieutenant, Senior Integration and Partnerships Manager, Qatar, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan Oct 2015 – Apr 2016
As the Senior Integration and Partnerships Manager I facilitated communication and coordination between the Air Force and joint, interagency, or multinational partners, ensuring seamless integration of resources and capabilities. My responsibilities included serving as the primary point of contact for information exchange, advising on Air Force-specific policies and procedures, and fostering collaboration to achieve mission objectives. I successfully navigated complex operational environments, enabling effective decision-making and the execution of strategic plans.
Impact:
Proactively developed emerging program for special operations combat mission planning, mitigating threats and enhancing intelligence analysis.
Developed algorithm that permitted aircrew planners to randomize flight times, which drastically mitigated threats to special operations units.
Evaluated and acquired cutting-edge software for theater airstrike cell, enabling 782 enemy kills in action through effective air command and control
Fostered ongoing partnership with 720ESTG and AFRL through participation in SOF Exercise; identified critical technology capability gaps and solutions.
Lieutenant, Senior Program Manager and User Research Scientist, Sep 13 – Sep 16
As a Senior Program Manager and User Research Scientist, I evaluated special operations fighters to identify capability gaps, discover potential commercially-off-the-shelf solutions, and/or assist in creating new solutions not yet commercially available. Additionally, I promoted our $33 Million program by creating communication strategies aimed at increasing our yearly budget. While deployed with the Special Operations Command, I was tasked with identifying capability gaps throughout the organization, finding creative solutions to increase productivity, synergizing between DoD organizations, and mitigating risk to Air Force assets.
Impact:
Led a Joint Task Force team in support of U.S. Naval Forces, creating influential messages targeting at-risk areas of violent extremist organizations.
Established organizational crossflow between Joint Special Operations and the Air Force Research Lab, resulting in the identification of capability gaps within the Air Force Spec Ops community and enabling real-time solutions.
Developed threat analysis and risk mitigation software for the Combined Air Operations Center, leading to an understanding of predictive trends by violent extremist organizations targeting Air Force assets.
Created a strategic communication plan for program capabilities/technologies, resulting in a $5 Million increase in funding.
Featured on multiple national and international news organizations as a successful emerging U.S. Air Force program.