Capabilities & Leadership

Karen Roth is an experienced Department of Defense leader specializing in cyber, artificial intelligence, and digital engineering. She most recently served as the Deputy Director of AFWERX, the Air Force’s rapid innovation arm, where she oversaw the acceleration of high-impact technologies for national defense. Previously, as Chief Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate, she ensured technical excellence across a $1.5 billion portfolio and spearheaded the creation of the Innovare Alliance, a global community of scientists and entrepreneurs focused on open innovation.

Prior to her leadership roles within the Air Force, Ms. Roth served as a Lead Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton and a Project Technical Lead for system security at Sikorsky Aircraft, where she focused on combat rescue helicopters. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for women in STEM, serving in numerous leadership capacities for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), including as President and Treasurer. Her commitment to the engineering community also includes participation in the Girl Scouts and regional engineering executive councils.

Passionate supporter of women in STEM careers through non-profit Board work in organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Board service primarily focused on fiduciary responsibilities and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Governance skills include the capability to assess portfolios and analyze the needs of partners in diverse areas to ensure strategic direction is correct. Creation of a clear, concise strategy empowers the organization to move forward and aggressively execute goals and address impediments proactively. Demonstrated through the creation of the Innovare Advancement Center brand and non-profit work.

Software & Cyber Engineer

• Experienced Software and Cyber Security expert

• Direct experience in RMF controls on hardware systems and Authority to Operate as the Security Lead for Sikorsky Helicopter platform

• Offensive Cyber Background

• Academic knowledge of CMMC and impacts to system execution

• Technical Leadership over 60+ programs in the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate with capability to rapidly assess technical portfolios for execution capability and impact to mission

Systems Engineer

• Ivy League educated Systems Engineer with a focus on integrating technical systems to meet compliance and regulations standards across the completed system

Strategic Planning

• Capability to assess local portfolio and analyze the needs of research partners in diverse research areas and the future needs to ensure strategic direction is correct. Creation of clear, concise strategy empowers the workforce to move forward and aggressively execute goals and address impediments proactively.

• Executed strategic planning cycles in multiple organizations including the Society of Women Engineers and other non-profit organizations with varying missions

• Balanced fiduciary/business insight in strategic planning cycles for realistic and executable outcomes

Executive Management/Coaching/Team Building

• Executive capability to direct programming, creation of external partnerships to accelerate change, capability to communicate mission space to global leaders (e.g. Congressional delegations, global research partners, venture capitalists, general officers, economic development councils, etc.). 

• Executive Coaching focused on influence through advising

Knowledge of US Air Force Innovation & Research

• Established history in the Air Force Research Laboratory with senior leadership in the Information Directorate and AFWERX

• Working knowledge and relationships in entire organization along with program offices and AFMC structure due to senior leadership roles

• Oversight of SpaceWERX includes working knowledge and relationships across the Space Force

Small Business Innovative Research/STTR

• Ran the Air Force SBIR/STTR program with over $1.5B in investment through Open Topic, Specific Topic, and STRATFI/TACFI programs

• Collaborate with Navy and Army SBIR/STTR programs, OUSD SBIR/STTR as well as the Defense Innovation Unit to combine capabilities and accelerate transition of small businesses capabilities

Strategic Communication

• Direct and clear communicator with a focus on translating technical and strategic goals for varying audiences to meet their goals and needs. Varying audiences include: Congressional delegations, global research partners, venture capitalists, general officers, economic development councils, et al. 

• Invited speaker to dozens of domestic and international public events

• Branded and communicated my story to 50k Society of Women Engineers members in FY25 including speaking to audiences of 8000+ members. This included dozens of podcasts, webinars, and four separate conferences. 

• Combines systems engineering mindset with executive coaching to drive outcomes through communication and advocacy

Business Acumen & Board Governance

• Master of Business Administration along with Engineering background gives a unique capability to understand technical capabilities and the market space and financial implications of risk and technical decision trade offs

• Board Governance and fiduciary responsibility to guide early stage businesses on capabilities and entry into the Defense Innovation space