Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Tabitha Kinchen is a strategic leader in defense innovation, currently serving as the Deputy Director of Energy at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). With over a decade of experience across the Department of Defense and national security space, she brings deep expertise in energy resilience, emerging technology adoption, and cross-sector collaboration. In the private sector, Tabitha served as Director of Client Success for the North America Public Sector, where she partnered with federal, state, and local stakeholders to implement tailored strategic intelligence solutions. That experience refined her leadership philosophy—centering on mission alignment, accountability, and values-driven decision-making. Previously, Tabitha was a Senior Energy Analyst at DIU, where she helped shape portfolio strategy, drive policy implementation, and support the integration of dual-use technologies across the DoD. She also held key roles at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), and led contract and operational initiatives supporting the broader defense enterprise. Tabitha holds a Master of Science in Communication (Strategic and Interpersonal) from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (Forensic Psychology), and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University. A long-time community advocate, she also volunteers with organizations that support military families. Rooted in public service and driven by innovation, Tabitha continues to lead at the intersection of technology, policy, and national security.
Strider is the leading strategic intelligence company empowering organizations to secure and advance their technology and innovation. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology alongside proprietary methodologies, Strider transforms publicly available data into critical insights. This increased intelligence enables organizations to proactively address and respond to risks associated with state-sponsored intellectual property theft, targeted talent acquisition, and supply chain vulnerabilities.