Defense Unicorns, the market leader in airgap-native software delivery and national security missions, has appointed Lauren Knausenberger as it’s Chief Business Officer. Knausenberger has vast experience of advancing technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and innovation across mission-critical government and defense environments. She will help drive Defense Unicorns’ growth strategy, strengthen strategic partnerships and expand the company’s impact across the defense ecosystem.
Knausenberger most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at SAIC, where she led strategy, AI-enabled transformation, rapid capability development, strategic technology partnerships and SAIC Ventures. She previously served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of the Air Force, where she was responsible for Enterprise IT, Cybersecurity, Data and Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, she sits on the board for Enersys, a member of the AFCEA Executive Committee, and an advisor to private capital investing in defense technology.
“Lauren brings the rare combination of technical depth, business leadership and mission focus that Defense Unicorns needs as we continue to scale,” said Dr. Rob Slaughter, CEO of Defense Unicorns. “She understands the urgency facing our mission customers and the role software and AI can play in helping them move faster, operate more securely and deliver greater mission impact. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team and look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring.”
About Defense Unicorns
Founded in 2021 by Rob Slaughter, Jeff McCoy and Andrew Greene, Defense Unicorns is a veteran-owned defense technology company that makes software a strategic deterrent for the U.S. Department of War. The company builds open-source, airgap-native technologies that enable the secure development, delivery and sustainment of mission software across cloud, on-premises and tactical edge environments.
Knausenberger’s appointment comes as Defense Unicorns continues to expand its role in modernising defense software and enabling the rapid delivery of secure, interoperable capabilities to the warfighter.
“One of my core missions since serving as CIO of the Department of the Air Force has been to make software a true deterrent to war by giving our military and our allies the speed, resilience, interoperability and the technological advantage they need to prevent conflict first, and fight and decisively win when we must,” said Lauren Knausenberger, Chief Business Officer of Defense Unicorns.
- Digital Strategy