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Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Start your day with intelligence. Get The OODA Daily Pulse.
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Panel Description
This panel features three distinguished professionals—Katrina McFarland, Andrew Cote, and William “Mac” McHenry— each known for their ability to conceptualize the impact of exponential technologies on business and national security. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds in defense, deep tech, and innovation ecosystems, they will explore how convergence across domains such as AI, biotechnology, space/aerospace, and energy can help identify and accelerate technological advancements.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into how these technologies can be harnessed to drive innovation and meet the goals of OODAcon—empowering decision-makers to anticipate, adapt, and thrive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Moderator: Bob Gourley, CTO, OODA
Katrina McFarland, Director of Acquisition, Missile Defense Agency A former senior executive at the DoD and commissioner of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, Katrina brings a wealth of knowledge on global and national security issues. Her unique perspective, informed by both historical and technological contexts, makes her a thought leader in the field.
Andrew Cote, SF Deep Tech Week, Founder; Hyperstition Incorporated, Founder
An engineering physicist, tech scout, and entrepreneur, Andrew founded San Francisco’s Deep Tech Week, an event that draws investors and innovators in sectors like Energy, Biotech, Robotics, Neurotech, Computing, Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Defense. His work fosters significant advancements in these cutting-edge fields.
William “Mac” McHenry, Senior Advisor to the Director and Intelligence Community Lead, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
A highly regarded executive with extensive experience in industry innovation and government agency leadership, Mac pioneered new industry engagement models for DoD as a founding member of DIU and remains deeply engaged in the innovation ecosystem.
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence