Washington Post Intelligence

“But the second very important innovation in the small modular nuclear reactors (that has really changed the way we can think about the safety of these reactors) is that the best designed reactors have an ability to switch themselves off automatically if there's any kind of incident or malfunction in the reactor” In a recent briefing, WP Intelligence Council Member, André Pienaar discusses nuclear reactor innovations, incident risk mitigation, and ways nuclear waste can be used to generate nuclear energy. Watch the full recorded briefing here =>https://lnkd.in/egW94Kbm

The extent of Beijing’s impact over the global economy this year is evident given the U.S.-China battle over critical minerals and China's use and threat of rare earth export restrictions.   Friday’s Intelligence briefing with Luiza Savage, Editorial Director, Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst, Kathryn Clay, Lead Energy & Climate Analyst, and Commissioner Leland Miller, co-founder and CEO of China Beige Book (CBB), will cover the biggest geo-economic stories unfolding right now. The group will unpack how this rare earth diplomacy works as well as US defense contractors’ and automakers’ rapid response. They’ll also discuss an emerging US wild card, the Smackover Foundation in Arkansas and Texas, where oil majors are drilling for lithium. If you have an interest in supply chain resilience, energy transition, or the next frontier in US China competition, this briefing is for you! Register for Friday’s 11AM ET Intelligence briefing here =>

Scott Smith, WPI Council Member and Cybersecurity Partner at EY offers thoughts about leveraging AI in cyber defense: “If you’re not using AI to strengthen your cyber defense, you’re falling behind the group that’s using AI for offensive techniques.” Scott is a partner/principal in the consulting practice of Ernst & Young (EY) LLP and leads the cybersecurity practice for the Government and Public Sector. His 25+ years in leading engagements with commercial, federal and state and local agencies led to him being featured in multiple industry forums, including WJLA/Channel 7 Government Matters and Federal News Radio. In 2023, Smith was named a Cyber Defenders Award winner from MeriTalk and earned the Cybersecurity Executive of the Year from WashingtonExec. In 2025, Smith was named an Industry Leadership Award winner of the CyberScoop 50 awards. Smith received his bachelor of science from Duke University and a certificate in business administration from Georgetown University. Prior to consulting, Smith served in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence and surface warfare officer. He is also a board member at the George Washington University Cybersecurity program in the College of Professional Studies and for the United Service Organizations (USO), supporting veteran initiatives. For more information on AI and security, our WP Intelligence report, The Executive’s Guide to AI’s Security Risks, examines what leaders need to know — from deepfake-driven phishing to unmanaged “shadow AI.” Read it here => https://lnkd.in/emtRWBgA

The Trump administration has flipped over the chessboard in the global development sector this year by canceling broad swaths of U.S. development and assistance programs and dismantling USAID. Now, the White House and Congress are attempting to set the board back up again, by drastically expanding the DFC, which was established in 2018 by the Build Act. It’s seven-year authorization expired last month. Among the only “must-pass” vehicles is the NDAA, and many other bills are jockeying to hitch a ride. That includes the reauthorization of the DFC, whose authorization lapsed on Oct. 6 and now sits in legislative limbo.

The U.S.-China battle over critical minerals, and China's use and threat of rare earth export restrictions this year, showed the extent of Beijing’s impact over the global economy. Friday’s Intelligence briefing will review how this rare earth diplomacy works as well as US defense contractors’ and automakers’ rapid response. We'll also discuss an emerging U.S. wild card, the Smackover Foundation in Arkansas and Texas, where oil majors are drilling for lithium. If you have an interest in supply chain resilience, energy transition, or the next frontier in US-China competition, please join Luiza Savage, Editorial Director, Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst, and Kathryn Clay, Lead Energy & Climate Analyst as they dig into one of the biggest geo-economic stories unfolding right now.

“Companies that chase the efficiencies of AI are going to need to take some of those efficiencies and reinvest them back into the security posture of their organization.” Rex Booth, Chief Information Security Officer, SailPoint Technologies and WP Intelligence Global Security Council Member, shares his perspective on the evolving security landscape in our latest WP Intelligence report, The Executive’s Guide to AI’s Security Risks. Rex leads the full spectrum of cybersecurity strategy and operations at SailPoint, including enterprise operational security and product security. He came to SailPoint from the White House where he served as a Senior Policy Advisor and the Director of Stakeholder Engagement in the Office of the National Cyber Director. While there, he developed and executed strategies for national-level engagement with private sector and international stakeholders to pursue a more secure and resilient cyberspace.

The WPI Conversation: How AI can teach us to be better humans In a recent WPI Conversation, "How AI can teach us to be better humans, WP Intelligence Council member Phil Friedman, CEO of CGS (Computer Generated Solutions), weighs in on the evolving role of AI in enterprise strategy. “The same technology once accused of making work transactional can now make it transformational. AI’s greatest value isn’t in replacing people. It’s in helping us see ourselves more clearly. When used responsibly, immersive AI can provide unbiased, immediate feedback on how we communicate, something even the best human coach can’t do consistently or at scale. In that sense, AI becomes a mirror, reflecting how we show up in critical moments and helping us strengthen the very qualities that make us human." Read the full Q&A here=>https://lnkd.in/eE7Q-rg6

We are excited to welcome Elizabeth Gray, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the National Audubon Society,  to WP Intelligence’s Council on Energy & Climate! Elizabeth is a scientist and global conservation leader with over three decades of experience advancing evidence-based strategies to combat climate change. Trained as a behavioral ecologist, she applies insights into how people interact with nature to drive lasting change — from regenerative agriculture to everyday shifts in human behavior. She has led field-based and policy-driven efforts across five continents, integrating research, innovation and community action. Under her leadership, Audubon is positioned as a leading voice on climate, representing the organization at the U.N. Climate Change Conferences and other global forums. Since becoming Audubon’s first female CEO in 2021, she has shaped a bold hemispheric strategy to "bend the bird curve" — halting and ultimately reversing the decline of birds across the Americas. Recognizing birds as sentinels of environmental change, Elizabeth has strengthened Audubon’s science and policy reach and built broad coalitions to advance nonpartisan climate solutions. Beyond her climate leadership, she has grown the organization’s reach and institutional capacity. She completed a record-setting $826 million campaign, expanded operations from six to 11 countries, and grew Audubon on Campus, a program cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders across the hemisphere. Previously, Elizabeth served as global managing director for climate change at the Nature Conservancy, where she led global strategy and initiatives to advance nature-based and economically grounded climate solutions. Her earlier work spanned the mainland U.S., Hawaii, Central and South America, Southeast Asia and East Africa. She holds a PhD in ecology from the University of Washington and an AB with highest honors in psychology from Harvard University.

US governors are suddenly betting on nuclear energy while China is racing to dominate the global market. America must quickly compete or risk falling behind Beijing. This story is about innovation, industrial strength, and geopolitical power. Join WP Intelligence Editorial Director, Luiza Savage, and Lead Energy & Climate Analyst Kathryn Clay with special guest, Andre Pienaar, Founder of C5 Capital for Friday’s 11AM ET briefing on the growing interest in nuclear power and what the US needs to do to lead the next energy era. Register for the virtual briefing here=>https://lnkd.in/egW94Kbm

Congratulations to WP Intelligence council member Tonya Sitko, MBA, PMP on her anniversary as Chief Executive Officer Herndon Solutions Group (HSG)! At HSG, Tonya delivers environmental, health, and safety solutions to NASA and other state and federal agencies operating in high-risk, high-stakes environments across the country. She brings over two decades of executive experience modernizing and transforming organizations in the defense, space, and technology sectors. We’re proud to have Tonya as a founding member of WP Intelligence’s council on AI & technology, where she continues to contribute her insight and leadership to our conversations on technological innovation, environmental policy, and the future of industry.