David Cattler

Mr. Cattler is a proven leader at the nexus of national security, technology, and strategy with more than 35 years of experience guiding complex organizations through transformation, crisis, and growth. He last served as the director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, where he oversaw a $3.2 billion operation with more than 15,000 staff across 174 locations, responsible for safeguarding the U.S. government’s trusted workforce and industrial base.

Now retired from federal service, Mr. Cattler is building a portfolio career that leverages his expertise to advise companies, boards, investors, and globally connected enterprises on security, risk, and dual-use technology strategy. He serves on the Peraton and ClearanceJobs’ advisory boards and is affiliated with the Atlantic Council and the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) in Tallinn, Estonia. He is partnering with multiple technology and professional services firms on national security modernization efforts. He is also a strategic advisor with The Roosevelt Group.

Previously, Mr. Cattler was NATO’s assistant secretary general for Intelligence and Security—the Alliance’s senior-most official for these issues—where he integrated the work of more than 80 services across 32 nations to modernize NATO’s threat posture and strengthen resilience. He also served at the White House as deputy assistant to the president for Regional Affairs and held senior executive roles in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Joint Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Navy.

A sought-after speaker and advisor on security, technology, and geopolitical risk, he has briefed heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, foreign ministers, and senior military officials and received national honors from multiple allied governments. He holds degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy and Georgetown University and was an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow.

Mr. Cattler has received formal recognition from allied governments for his impact on strategic intelligence, crisis coordination, and alliance resilience. These honors include the highest national awards presented to non-citizens by Estonia and Ukraine, bestowed in recognition of distinguished service to the state and people. He also received presidential recognition from Poland and additional ministerial commendations from Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. These distinctions reflect his trusted leadership and sustained contributions to transatlantic security.

He is the founder of Ironhelm Works LLC, a strategic advisory firm focused on trust, risk, and security innovation, and he is represented by Leading Authorities for select public speaking engagements.