Our People
Sierra Clouse
Director of Applied Innovation
Sierra advances demand-led innovation by aligning emerging technologies with real-world needs across public and private sector ecosystems. Her approach is shaped by experience supporting key objectives at Fortune 100 organizations across technology, retail & healthcare, as well as at Big Four consulting firms. She has worked across the full product lifecycle—including solution delivery, sales, implementation, marketing, and talent acquisition—alongside hands-on experience in governance, risk, and cybersecurity.
Nora Gluch
Senior Director for Leadership Coaching and Executive Development
With over 18 years of multifaceted leadership experience spanning both private industry and federal government, Nora is a seasoned executive coach focused on guiding organizations through complex change, ensuring leaders adapt and thrive to drive sustained results. Nora holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (Associate Certified Coach), is certified in the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and LINC Personality Profiler.
Jim McNeely
Senior Director for AI Governance
Jim is a seasoned executive advisor and former federal director with deep expertise in responsible AI adoption, cybersecurity, and data governance across high‑stakes national security and regulatory missions. James holds a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego, and is licensed to practice law in New York. He is an Army veteran with a background in Counterintelligence.
Sara Pease (Kuban)
Senior Director for Communications Strategy
Sara is an accomplished leader with 20+ years of experience in public affairs – specializing in strategic and crisis communications – public policy, and stakeholder engagement across all levels of government and C-suite in the private sector. Most recently Sara served in a senior role at CISA where she led a number of initiatives to help build cyber resilience.
David Demski
Director for AI Enablement
David is a policy and technology expert with 14+ years experience in DHS advising senior leaders on AI, oversight and compliance. He built enterprise-scale training programs for a workforce of nearly half a million, assessed emerging technology deployments for legal and safety risks, and turned complex technical and regulatory issues into clear, actionable guidance. Today he helps organizations strengthen AI governance, navigating evolving policy landscapes and builds training that supports safe, effective adoption of emerging technologies.
Mohagani Townsend
Emerging Technology Analyst
Mohagani is a recent graduate of New York University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Cybercrime. Her research interests include cyber-enabled threats, emerging technologies, and the intersection of cybersecurity, policy, and national security. Her work focuses on translating complex technical, legal, and operational issues into clear, research-driven analysis that supports informed decision-making and applied research initiatives.
Nick Reese
Founder and CEO
With experience across the private, public, and academic sectors, Nick is a leading expert in emerging technology strategy and implementation. From the White House to the board room, Nick has been involved in the most important technology work over the past decade. He is a professor of emerging technology at NYU and the cofounder of an AI startup.