Colleen Laughlin

Colleen Laughlin is a Senior Vice President and Partner at Capital Atlas, bringing over 20 years of experience from the U.S. Department of Defense where she tackled complex national security problems, developed policy, and translated ideas into actionable strategies. Most recently, she served an advisor the Deputy Secretary of Defense, assessing strategic competition in military technology and innovation. Prior to this role, Colleen served as the Executive Director of the Defense Innovation Board and innovation advisor to the Department’s Chief Technology Officer. Colleen has held various distinguished roles to include special assistant to the Secretary of Defense, chief of staff for Indo-Pacific policy, and policy advisor on foreign mergers and acquisitions and export controls. Across her career, she has been shaped American defense strategy, intelligence priorities, legislation, tech policy, budget, and foreign relations, while working closely with the White House, Congress, industry and academia, and international allies. Colleen attended Auburn University and the University of Florida, with degrees in economics, political science, and a master's in international relations. She has a deep interest in the intersection of society, technology, and government. A proud D.C. resident, Colleen enjoys culinology and the creative arts. She secretly wants to be on Hot Ones.