MELISSA M. RIORDAN
Arlington,USA
Summary
Extensive experience developing, integrating, and communicating AISE-level strategy aligned with Army, Joint, IC, DOW, and DNI guidance. Proven ability to lead enterprise strategy formulation, translate ends/ways/means into executable frameworks, and assess impacts to readiness, modernization, and transformation. Expert communicator with demonstrated success authoring and publishing DCS, G-2 and AISE strategic narratives, executive summaries, and senior leader decision products. Deep knowledge of Army Staff, Joint Staff, IC, and multinational intelligence relationships, including coordination across Commands, Services, Combatant Commands, and partner nations. Demonstrated authority to represent senior leaders, influence strategic alignment, and integrate intelligence programs across organizations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Planner / Intelligence Enterprise Strategist (ODCS, G-2 aligned)
U.S. Department of the Army
Washington, DC
07.2025 - Current
- Enterprise Strategy & Integration (40%)
- Serve as a principal enterprise intelligence strategist supporting the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 by developing, integrating, and communicating AISE strategy aligned with Army, Joint, and Intelligence Community guidance.
- Lead development and publication of the G-2 Terms of Reference, coordinating with all G-2 Directors (GO/SES) to define enterprise roles, authorities, and functions—establishing enduring governance for AISE strategy execution.
- Represent ODCS, G-2 in strategy coordination forums, synchronizing efforts across Army commands and intelligence stakeholders to ensure unified execution of AISE strategic objectives.
- Develop executive summaries for senior leaders translating forum outcomes, risks, and opportunities into actionable implications for the broader AISE.
- Strategic Planning & Execution (30%)
- Translate strategic guidance into AISE-level plans, aligning ends, ways, and means with Army and Military Intelligence Corps doctrine.
- Conduct analysis of organizational realignment, workforce optimization, and automation initiatives to assess impacts to intelligence readiness and mission execution; brief Army senior leaders on strategic implications.
- Develop implementation frameworks, risk considerations, and strategic alignment products to support long-term intelligence transformation objectives.
- Stakeholder Engagement (20%)
- Develop and execute strategic communication plans supporting DCS, G-2 senior leader engagements, ensuring narratives clearly articulate AISE value and alignment with Army operational concepts.
- Serve as lead planner for DCS, G-2 senior leader engagements in Europe, coordinating with in-country units and foreign partners to advance intelligence and security cooperation priorities.
- Resource & Governance Alignment (10%)
- Ensure AISE strategies are resource-informed by aligning strategic objectives with organizational structure, workforce, and resourcing considerations.
- Maintain currency on Army and IC intelligence policy and ensure enterprise strategies remain compliant with governing directives and strategic intent.
- 40 hours/week
Political-Military Analyst / Regional Portfolio Lead (Strategy, Plans & Policy – J-5)
The Joint Staff
Washington, DC
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Served as the Joint Staff’s principal intelligence and political-military subject matter expert for the Nordic region, integrating Army, Joint, IC, and allied perspectives into unified strategic assessments.
- Conducted analysis of emerging IC and allied strategies; assessed implications for U.S. posture, alliance integration, and intelligence cooperation.
- Led cross-functional teams across Services, Combatant Commands, and OSD to integrate intelligence equities into joint strategic planning and policy recommendations.
- Prepared executive-level products for the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, translating complex intelligence and policy issues into concise decision support.
- Represented senior leaders in high-level engagements with foreign Ministers of Defense, Chiefs of Defense, and heads of state—directly influencing strategic alignment and messaging.
- Grade progression note: This role reflects transition from analytic support to portfolio leadership, cross-functional integration, and executive representation, consistent with GG-13 scope.
- 40 hours/week
Strategic Planner (Multinational Intelligence Integration)
U.S. Department of the Army
Mons, Belgium / Washington, DC
10.2023 - 05.2024
- Selected for broadening assignment focused on enterprise-level intelligence integration across NATO and allied partners.
- Cultivated and sustained collaborative relationships with National Counterintelligence Advisors from 32 NATO nations, synchronizing intelligence priorities and information-sharing efforts.
- Planned and executed multinational engagements across the Euro-Atlantic region to advance shared intelligence and security objectives.
- Served as liaison between ODCS, G-2, Army Foreign Liaison Directorate, Defense Attaché Offices, and the Department of State to support senior leader engagements.
- 40 hours/week
Strategic Planner / John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellow
U.S. Department of the Army
Washington, DC
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Developed and executed enterprise strategic communications for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, including speeches, talking points, and narratives for DoD, IC, industry, and academic audiences.
- Served as G-2 Congressional Actions Contact Officer, advising senior leaders on legislative dynamics affecting intelligence authorities, funding, and oversight.
- Analyzed Congressional appropriations and marks impacting Army intelligence programs; developed mitigation strategies to ensure alignment between strategy and resources.
- Prepared DCS, G-2 for testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, ensuring clear articulation of AISE priorities and risks.
- 40 hours/week
Deputy Project Manager / Senior Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
Washington, DC
07.2018 - 09.2022
- Served as Deputy Project Manager and site lead, supervising analysts and managing delivery of intelligence-supporting policy and coordination products for the Joint Staff.
- Conducted political-military analysis and produced executive-level products supporting senior leader decision-making.
- Led coordination and transition of major Joint Staff policy portfolios, ensuring alignment with evolving strategic guidance and doctrine.
- 40 hours/week
Education
M.A. - International Security
Georgetown University
B.B.A. - Information Technology Management
University of Notre Dame
Skills
- Strategic thinking
- Data interpretation
- SWOT analysis
- Competitive analysis
- Research and analysis
- Verbal, interpersonal, and written communication
- Report writing
- Team player
WHY THIS VERSION OVERCOMES THE DENIAL
- Clearly 0132: Emphasizes intelligence enterprise strategy, integration, governance, and senior-leader representation—not generic program analysis.
- Grade progression shown: Support → portfolio lead → enterprise strategist with governance authority.
- Leadership & control demonstrated: Governance frameworks, cross-functional leadership, executive summaries, and representation in IC/Joint forums.
- Direct PD and Factor alignment: Every major duty and Factor A–E knowledge element is explicitly reflected in the experience narrative.
Timeline
Strategic Planner / Intelligence Enterprise Strategist (ODCS, G-2 aligned)
U.S. Department of the Army
07.2025 - Current
Political-Military Analyst / Regional Portfolio Lead (Strategy, Plans & Policy – J-5)
The Joint Staff
06.2024 - 06.2025
Strategic Planner (Multinational Intelligence Integration)
U.S. Department of the Army
10.2023 - 05.2024
Strategic Planner / John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellow
U.S. Department of the Army
10.2022 - 09.2023
Deputy Project Manager / Senior Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
07.2018 - 09.2022
B.B.A. - Information Technology Management
University of Notre Dame
M.A. - International Security
Georgetown University