Meet the DIMF Ambassadors

The DIMF Ambassador program hosts the charity’s most treasured representatives across multiple private, public, academic, and non-profit sectors. Ambassador candidates undergo a rigorous screening process where the character, commitment, and ideas for advancing our mission are carefully evaluated by the DIMF’s leadership team and Board of Directors. The DIMF is always looking for inspiring people to join this elite corps. We welcome any current, former, or aspiring Defense Intelligence professionals to apply.

Charles Carithers

Mr. Charles Carithers is a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a full-service, bipartisan consulting firm, where he advises a diverse set of clients with interests related national security, defense, and Homeland security.  He previously served as a Professional Staff Member with the Committee on Homeland Security in the House of Representatives, advising then Chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, on various national security and intelligence matters.  Before joining the Committee, Charles spent 11 years in the Intelligence Community, having served in various leadership capacities at IARPA, ODNI’s Policy Division, and DIA. Charles also served as a Brookings Institution legislative fellow with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the Senate where he advised then Ranking Member Sen. Thomas Carper and Committee staff on matters related to national security. Charles serves on the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) DC Leadership Council, is a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations, and a visiting fellow with the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. He is the recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and Medal and the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Award and Medal.   Charles also serves as chairman of the Board of Advisors for Black Professionals in International Affairs.  He is a 2005 graduate of Morehouse College, a 2007 graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies.

Tim Estes

Tim is a CEO Founder with a belief that we all owe a duty to the world to leverage technology and particularly, AI, for the betterment of Mankind. He founded Digital Reasoning in college and was its CEO throughout most of its development. Digital Reasoning built software to automate understanding of structured and unstructured data based on a distinctive, patented mathematical approach to understanding natural language and leverages distributed computing technologies to make these analytics work effectively on Big Data. Digital Reasoning served the Defense, Intelligence, Financial, Enterprise Risk, and Health Care markets with solutions.

Aki Jain

Akash Jain currently serves as Chief Technology Officer of Palantir Technologies and President of Palantir USG. His current areas of focus include driving Palantir’s 0→1 R&D portfolio including enabling AI/ML Ops across the USG business with Palantir’s Gotham and Foundry platforms. He spends most of this time iterating with mission partners, Palantir’s engineering teams and leaders across the civilian, defense and intelligence practice areas. Mr. Jain graduated from Stanford University in 2003 with degree in Computer Science. He now lives in Oakland, California where he enjoys spending time with his family.

Dawn Meyerriecks

Dawn is recognized for her deep understanding of user and chief stakeholder needs, effecting innovative and essential changes wherever she has served. From 2014-2021, Dawn led the iconic CIA Directorate of Science and Technology, directing the organization’s first restructure in their fabled 57 year history, defining and delivering global capabilities beyond state-of-the-art even in the midst of significant workforce societal and health concerns. Dawn also led the restructure of AOL Products to ensure alignment to business objectives, leading M&A technical assessments and ribbon-cutting new global facilities. Concurrently, she served on the National Security Agency (NSA) Corporate Board for over a decade, supporting both their Technical Strategy and Information Assurance subcommittees. Inspired by a shared commitment to the national security community and it’s amazing people, Dawn is delighted to join the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation as one of its Ambassadors.

Matt Ocko

Matt Ocko is a technology entrepreneur and VC. He is co-Managing Partner and co-founder of DCVC, the leading Deep Tech VC firm, with multiple billions of dollars focused on America’s resilience and economic and national security. Matt holds a degree in Physics from Yale University, and he is an inventor on over 50 granted or in-process patents in areas as diverse as computer systems virtualization, fraud detection, and AR.  Matt has spent decades helping to ensure the engines of American innovation are available to national security missions and is known across the federal government for his proactive investment in capabilities needed for the missions of the future.  He is an advisor to the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (and through his firm, frequent co-investor with) In-Q-Tel, a long-time member of and advisor to BENS (Business Executives for National Security, ) led by Gen. (ret) Joe Votel, a founding sponsor of and advisor to the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation () and is a frequent pro-bono advisor to senior staff of the FBI, CIA, SOCOM, and certain interagency committees on select technology and policy matters.

Beau Oliver

Serving as Senior Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, Beau is a growth specialist with a proven record of building and optimizing effective strategies and processes in the technology and consulting industries - driving strategy and performance improvement, enhancing market position, maximizing efficiencies, increasing profit margins, and enhancing executive customer relationships. Mentor and coach dedicated to building, developing, and leading high-impact cross-functional teams to exceed objectives and create sustainable success.

 Greg Oslan

Greg Oslan is a proven and accomplished executive known for his deep understanding of both technology and business leadership. His track record of leadership spans decades and includes building and growing companies to successful exits and serving as strategic advisors to VC firms and a wide range of government and nonprofit organizations.

Keith Pellegrini

Keith Pellegrini is a Partner at McChrystal Group known for delivering decisive leadership in complex situations, performing in high pressure environments and building partnerships in challenging cultures for the greater good. He has nearly 3 decades of diverse, practical, National Security experience, girded by undergraduate and graduate study focused on National Security and Foreign Policy. His singularly unique Special Operations career, which included immersion within both the Intelligence Community and State Department, combined with private sector experience advising both large corporations and local government officials, equips him with exquisite insight and skills for handling a broad spectrum of strategic challenges.

Lathan Turner

Lathan is a seasoned leader with proven results in global environments under time constraints dedicated to exceeding expectations of clients and customers. Over 18 years of interacting with high ranking U.S and foreign officials in government while managing billions of dollars in personnel and equipment. Responsible for the overall development, strategic direction, growth, and management of strategic client relationships with National Security Agencies. Leads a matrixed team of Sales, Business Development, Solution Architects, Professional Services, Program & Service Managers to provide cloud services while meeting sales, lifecycle and customer satisfaction targets.

Saundra K. “Sandy” Wirtz

Sandy is the proud mother of Scott Andrew Wirtz, who was killed on January 16, 2019, in a terrorist attack in Manbij, Syria. Scott supported multiple critical mission deployments for DIA and the Department of Defense. On the first anniversary of his death, Sandy was contacted by the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation requesting permission to name a scholarship in Scott’s name. Honored that the DIMF was memorializing Scotty with the opportunity to help other deserving families, she readily agreed and has since become a fierce advocate for the DIMF initiatives.

Sandy, a native of St. Louis, MO, graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in English Literature and Secondary Education. She spent her career in business aviation both in St. Louis and Washington D.C. She retired from the National Business Aviation Association in Washington D.C. as Director of Seminars. Her role included supporting corporate flight department personnel through conventions and seminars providing the tools and resources to hone their leadership and management skills.

Since the death of her son, Sandy has become involved with the DIMF as well as The Navy SEAL Foundation, Carry the Load, and Dogs for Our Brave supporting other parents and families and the causes of these foundations.