The Honorable Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Event Description
Leadership is not about maintaining the status quo—it’s about rising to meet the moment, especially in a world where rapid technological advancements, emerging security threats, and shifting global dynamics demand bold and innovative action. In this powerful session, The Honorable Susan “Sue” Gordon shares her leadership journey—from navigating complex security challenges to leading innovation and raising a family.
Through personal insights and hard-earned lessons from a 30-year CIA career, including the founding of In-Q-Tel, an independent, not-for-profit strategic investment firm created by the CIA, this talk will explore how leaders at every level can turn uncertainty into opportunity, push the boundaries of innovation, and build coalitions that shape the future of global security.
Speaker Bio
The Honorable Susan M. “Sue” Gordon is the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, serving from 2017-2019, where she advised the President on intelligence matters and provided operational leadership of the agencies and organizations of the Intelligence Community (IC). She is a widely respected authority on risk management, technical innovation, and cyber and space issues. Today, she is an active board member, university fellow, and advises private companies in the areas of technology, strategy, and leadership.
Throughout Ms. Gordon’s more than three decades in the IC, she led large scale organizational change and delivered revolutionary outcomes. Ms. Gordon worked to adapt the IC to emerging economic, military, and political trends impacting the current operating environment. Ms. Gordon led the establishment of In-Q-Tel, the Central Intelligence Agency’s venture arm, in the 1990s. In the last several years, she focused on advancing intelligence integration across the IC, expanding outreach and partnerships to the private sector and international allies, and driving innovation across the Community.
While serving as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2015 to 2017, Ms. Gordon helped lead NGA through a transformation to adapt to emergent challenges. In this role, she spearheaded agile decision-making, modernization of the information environment, and the expansion of geospatial intelligence services to the open marketplace.
Ms. Gordon joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1980 and served for 29 years, rising to senior executive positions in each of the Agency’s four directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. She is renowned for her commitment to mentorship and diversity and inclusion, serving as a champion for the LGBTQIA+ community. Ms. Gordon is recognized for her creative executive leadership, receiving numerous awards, including the Distinguished Intelligence and Distinguished Career Intelligence medals, Presidential Rank awards, and the Oliver Baker, Lundahl-Finnie, and William Webster leadership awards.
Ms. Gordon is a fellow at Duke and Harvard Universities; serves as an independent director on the boards of CACI International, BlackSky, and SecurityScorecard; is a trustee of the MITRE Corporation; and is an advisor for several technology companies including Microsoft Corporation as well as the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. She serves on government advisory boards on national security and intelligence, including the Defense Innovation Board, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is the founder and principal of GordonVentures, LLC. Ms. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Science from Duke University where she was a three-time captain of the Duke Women’s Basketball team.
Honoring Catherine M. Kelleher
Each year, during Women's History Month, we host a special Forum dedicated to honoring CISSM's founder, Dr. Catherine M. Kelleher, for her contributions to the field of international security policy. Professor Kelleher was a champion for women in the field through mentorship and the establishment of Women in International Security (WIIS).
Dr. Kelleher is also the inspiration for the Catherine M. Kelleher Fellowship Fund for International Security Studies, which supports an exceptional graduate student pursuing her master’s or doctoral degree at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. You can contribute to the Catherine M. Kelleher Fellowship Fund for International Security Studies here.
In remembrance and deep admiration for Dr. Kelleher's enduring legacy, we extend an invitation to explore more about her extraordinary life and contributions. For those seeking a closer look into her story, additional insights can be found here.