Past Event
CREATIVE DISRUPTORS
September 20–21, 2024
St. Paul, MN
By THE Lakes
The Creative Defense Foundation Retreat
Shaping the Future of National Security Investments
This retreat fostered dialogue among key stakeholders and thought leaders in national security focusing on strategies to effectively allocate resources to most effectively address emerging threats in the light of rapidly developing technologies and projected adversary capabilities.
The report is password protected. Email info@creativedefense.org to request password.
Agenda
MAIN STAGE PANELS
Congressional/Defense Leader Messages
Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congressman Ken Calvert, The Honorable Heidi Shyu, The Honorable Russell Rumbaugh, and Ms. Kirstin Riesbeck
Keynote Interview
Mr. Steve Feinberg, CEO, Cerberus Capital Management
Resourcing Priorities for Victory: Is the U.S. Preparing for Future National Security Challenges?
A Presentation by Matt MacGregor, CEO, Cerberus Capital Management and Pete Modigliani
A National Security Awakening
Moderated by: Admiral John Richardson, USN (Ret), 31st Chief of Naval Operations
A revitalization of national security which stimulates innovation, reengages key stakeholders, and more effectively develops solutions capable of addressing modern threats requires a reallocation of resources. This session discussed restructuring our investments, building the “arsenal of democracy” for the 21st century, and redesigning our business models.
Leading the Renewal
Moderated by: Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer, Palantir
Building the “arsenal of democracy” for the 21st century requires engaging the existing high-tech sector of the U.S. economy, U.S. Entrepreneurs, and U.S. Investors and leveraging their capabilities to enhance national security. This session discussed how, by creating ample market opportunities and providing strong incentives, the U.S. can develop a modern Arsenal of Democracy. This renewal must not only modernize our military capabilities but also create new opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and deploy transformative solutions.
Keynote Interview
Mr. George Rumford, Director, Test Resource Management Center
Defense Leader Executive Session - Securing the Success of a Unified National Security Awakening
Moderated by: Admiral John Richardson, USN (Ret), 31st Chief of Naval Operations
This session brought together visionary leaders from government, industry, and the private sector to discuss the leadership and strategies necessary for transformative change in the national security ecosystem. With rapid and increasingly lethal technological advancements shaping the future of defense, the focus will be on how leaders can successfully lay the foundation for cultural and structural change across the defense ecosystem. The discussion stressed the importance of uniting private sector entrepreneurs and high-tech innovators, as well as securing the funding and resources essential to driving and sustaining these transformations. By engaging in a whole-of-country National Security Renaissance, participants explored actionable strategies to ensure not only the initiation but also the enduring success of these changes.
WORKSHOPS
A: Restructuring National Security Investments
Workshop A focused on reimagining how the U.S. allocates its national security investments to address the rapidly evolving global threat landscape. The goal was to enhance the nation’s immediate security capabilities but also position the U.S. for long-term strategic advantage.
B: Building a 21st Century "Arsenal For Democracy"
Workshop B focused on the concept of revitalizing and modernizing the “Arsenal for Democracy” to meet the national security needs of the 21st century. The goal was to ensure that the U.S. maintains a robust and responsive defense and private sector industrial base that can rapidly adapt to emerging national security threats and challenges. Approaches to Revitalize the Essential National Security Ecosystem and Workforce (RENEW) were discussed.
C: A National Security Value Focused Business Model
Workshop C developed a value focused business model that aligns with and capitalizes on the strengths of the U.S. private sector for the critical needs of national security. This model would attract the best of the U.S. private sector to engage with the needs of U.S. national security to deliver sustainable value ensuring that the nation’s defense capabilities are cutting-edge, cost-effective, and adaptable to a rapidly advancing technology-based threat environment.
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