Dr. M.I. Cooper-Krueger
DBA | DAWIA Level II | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Defense Strategy & Organizational Leadership
Twenty years managing complex programs across NATO, DoD, and research institutions. Expertise in acquisition management, organizational transformation, and strategic communication. Current research focuses on how leaders drive measurable organizational outcomes.
Experience & Expertise
Strategic Leadership & Research
DAWIA Level II certified program manager with Prince 2 credentials and a Doctorate in Business Administration. Research focuses on leadership communication and organizational performance, with published work examining how strategic narratives correlate with measurable outcomes.
Career spanning NATO Office of Resources, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A), Defense Contract Management Agency, and RAND Corporation. Experience includes managing €4 billion portfolios, leading organizational transformations, and developing evaluation frameworks for complex programs.
Currently Adjunct Lecturer at Saint Vincent College McKenna School of Business, teaching strategic leadership and bringing practitioner experience to academic instruction.
Areas of Focus
Defense Acquisition & Program Management
Managed €4 billion annual portfolios across 28 NATO nations, building consensus among competing stakeholder priorities. Led DCMA programs through strategic rebaselining, achieving $27M in cost savings. Source selection authority for major defense systems with expertise in DoD PPBE processes and international procurement.
Program Evaluation & Performance Measurement
Developed evaluation frameworks for high-value federally funded portfolios at RAND. Applied "Getting to Outcomes" methodologies connecting resources to measurable results. Conducted evaluability assessments and mission threads analysis for DoD and DHS programs.
Leadership Communication Research
Research examines how leadership narratives correlate with organizational performance outcomes. Published findings in Journal of Leadership Studies demonstrate relationships between communication patterns and measurable results. Framework validated across multiple contexts and time periods.
Strategic Leadership Education
Teaching strategic leadership and organizational effectiveness at Saint Vincent College McKenna School of Business. Curriculum integrates practitioner experience from NATO, DCMA, and RAND with research-based frameworks for leadership development.
Research & Publications
From Words to Wins: Tracing Narrative Impact in Presidential Debates Over Three Decades
Journal of Leadership Studies (2025)
Analysis of how narrative strategies shape political outcomes, with applications to strategic communication in defense and organizational leadership.
Read Publication →Language of Legendary Leaders
Doctoral Dissertation (2024)
Mixed methods study on organizational storytelling, examining how leadership narratives drive strategic implementation and organizational performance.
View Dissertation →Analysis of Alternative Uses for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
RAND Research Report RRA2719-1 (2024)
Analysis of strategic alternatives for critical infrastructure, demonstrating cost-benefit analysis and alternatives evaluation for defense assets.
View Report →Asteroid Economics
SSRN Working Paper & Psyche.co (2024-2025)
Examination of economic behavior under existential risk, exploring patterns in consumption and strategic decision-making frameworks.
Read Article →Community Engagement
Humanitarian Impact
Support for humanitarian initiatives including medical care and vocational training for war-affected communities in West Africa.
Spine Alliance →Education
Teaching and mentorship in strategic leadership and organizational effectiveness at the university level.
Contact →Community Development
Support for community development initiatives that strengthen societal foundations.
Habitat for Humanity →Contact Information
For inquiries regarding research collaboration, speaking engagements, or professional opportunities.