Dr. Monika Cooper
Executive Summary
Strategic consultant transforming complex defense challenges into breakthrough organizational performance. 15+ years commanding multi-billion dollar defense programs across NATO and DoD. Currently at RAND Corporation advancing research in leadership effectiveness, AI systems, and organizational transformation.
Research & Publications
"From Words to Wins: Tracing Narrative Impact in Presidential Debates Over Three Decades"
Journal of Leadership Studies (2025)
Current Research: AI Risk & Governance | Mission Threads Analysis for DHS | Change Management for EUCOM
Professional Experience
Senior Technical Analyst
RAND Corporation
September 2020 – Present | Pittsburgh, PA
- Lead acquisition analyst for defense innovation initiatives conducting strategic assessments for critical DoD programs
- Spearhead supply chain analysis and develop risk mitigation strategies across acquisition horizons
- Lead research on AI risk, governance, and military applications for DoD, DHS, and allied partners
- Conduct change management analysis for U.S. European Command advising senior leaders on organizational adaptation
Program Manager
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
August 2019 – September 2020 | Portsmouth, RI
- Led multidisciplinary teams providing strategic oversight for Integrated Weapon Systems programs
- Managed comprehensive acquisition oversight across multiple high-value defense contracts
- Produced critical assessments for senior leadership and Congressional reporting
Principal Acquisition Manager
ZHL, LLC
December 2014 – December 2018 | Fairfax, VA
- Developed independent cost estimates and competitive strategies for NRO and NGA programs
- Primary acquisition interface for international customers managing complex procurement requirements
- Executed complex contracts under compressed timelines requiring advanced acquisition expertise
Policy Advisor, Strategic Planning
NATO Office of Resources
January 2010 – November 2014 | Brussels, Belgium
- Managed multinational programs across 30-nation alliance with $50M in US O&M funds and €8M from MOU nations
- Led strategic planning coordinating multi-nation defense requirements for NATO collective security
- Selected for Change Management Team during global economic crisis, developed new financial processes
Senior Contracting Officer
NATO Communications and Information Agency
August 2002 – January 2010 | Brussels, Belgium
- Contract Award Board Source Selection Authority overseeing strategic procurement across 28 alliance nations
- Managed acquisition analysis for major programs worth 2 billion euros
- Developed acquisition methodologies improving cost estimation accuracy and program execution
Education & Certifications
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
University of Maryland Global Campus, 2024
MBA, Economics/Finance
Bellevue University, Honors
B.S., International Business Management
Bellevue University, Summa Cum Laude
DAWIA Level II
Program Management
Lean Six Sigma
Black Belt
Prince 2
Certified
Core Competencies
Strategic Leadership
- Multi-billion dollar program oversight
- Source selection authority
- International procurement strategies
- Stakeholder engagement
- Change management
Innovation & Analysis
- Operations research
- Predictive modeling
- Supply chain resilience
- Risk assessment
- AI governance
Weapon Systems Experience
Afghan Mission Network (AMN)
Full Operational Capability, Plus (FOC+)
NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC)
SATCOM Post 2000
Theater Missile Defense (TMD)
Air Command and Control System (ACCS LOC1)
Allied Ground Surveillance (AGS)
Computer Information Systems Afghanistan (CISAF)
AWACS/NATO Systems
AEGIS Combat System
C4ISR Systems
JTIDS/MIDS Terminal Systems
Key Achievements
Successfully managed acquisition programs totaling over $2 billion across NATO and DoD
Led source selection authority for multinational procurement across 28 NATO nations
Developed risk assessment frameworks with 0.708 correlation coefficients for program success
Published thought leadership in strategic communication and organizational performance
Languages
English
Native
German
Conversational
Spanish
Conversational
French
Conversational