Vetted Executive & Leadership Professionals in the DMV

“Four-time founder with hands-on experience inside angel- and venture-backed executive teams, plus accelerator mentorship experience. Brings a practical, customer-validation-driven approach to company building, with strong insight into early-stage team dynamics and investor ecosystems.”

“Operations leader with experience scaling a fast-growing, startup-like government organization (tripled headcount in two years) by implementing OKRs, operating cadences, reporting structures, and decision/escalation frameworks. Has led complex process turnarounds (including a debt-collection overhaul with legal coordination and an appeals board) and advises executives on high-stakes public communications during critical-infrastructure cybersecurity incidents using data-driven decisioning.”

Jack Johnson

Screened

Executive security and risk leader specializing in national security, defense, and M&A advisory

McLean, VA43y exp

“Advisor to early-stage cybersecurity firm Nday Security, helping shape lean operations and go-to-market while deferring investors in favor of potential early acquisition. Previously appointed by the U.S. President as the first Chief Security Officer for the newly formed Department of Homeland Security, standing up operations and integrating 22 agencies under intense post-9/11 urgency.”

Masoom Chaudhary

Screened ReferencesStrong rec.

Executive-level Chief of Staff leader specializing in cybersecurity and national security operations

Washington, DC14y exp

“Senior chief-of-staff–type operator with 13 years in government, leading agency-wide implementation of presidential executive orders and large-scale internal policy rewrites via cross-functional working groups (HR/CIO/CFO/legal/facilities). Deep experience boosting executive productivity through structured prep systems (Outlook/OneNote, templates, SME tasking) and trusted handling of sensitive matters with a Top Secret clearance, including executive safety-related confidentiality.”

Erik Melanson

Screened

Executive intelligence and cyber operations leader in defense and national security

Annapolis Junction, MD19y exp

“Aspiring founder in the early stages of shaping a startup concept, with a practical plan to refine the initial offering, sharpen the value pitch, and secure both investors and early client interest. Brings firsthand exposure to private-equity-backed companies, including experience seeing capital raising and board accountability from the operating side.”

“Aspiring founder building an AI governance and compliance startup for the finance industry, focused on agents that monitor data lakes/lakehouses to detect security vulnerabilities, PII exposure, and governance issues in real time. Has already formed an S-corp, has not raised capital yet, and approaches idea validation through Minimum Lovable Product testing with potential clients.”

“Operations leader/Chief of Staff profile with experience building organizations in both government and high-growth tech. Helped stand up Senator John Fetterman’s Senate office—designing the org structure and systems for a 55-person team—and later improved planning, reporting, and OKR execution within Stripe’s legal/global policy org during rapid scaling. Now consults part-time to help executives translate strategy into execution through clear ownership, operating rhythms, and scalable systems.”

“Lifelong entrepreneur and early Pixar employee who has spent decades in the Bay Area, New York, and Europe building companies and operating in venture ecosystems. He has raised $20M via ICO, raised £3M for a London venture studio, and brings a strong point of view on AI: product creation is commoditizing, so durable startups need a distribution edge.”

Chris Deringer

Screened

Executive Marketing & Growth Leader specializing in SaaS and automotive digital marketing

Derwood, MD24y exp

“Growth-stage operator/CMO who helped scale DealerOn from 12 people and $1M to 800 people and $125M, building SEO/digital ads products, client success operations, and multi-source performance dashboards. Led a thought-leadership marketing engine with Google/Facebook partnerships and implemented Salesforce-based acquisition campaigns; experience optimizing onboarding and retention across different customer segments (auto dealers, law firms, home services).”