Kathleen Kiernan

Dr. Kathleen Kiernan is a prominent figure in national security and law enforcement with extensive experience and expertise. She is currently the President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS), a subsidiary of NEC Corporation of America, a position she has held since June 2021.13

Dr. Kiernan is a 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, having retired as Assistant Director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).12 She is recognized as an expert in strategic thinking, strategy development, anomalous behavior detection, and facilitating critical incident management exercises.2

In addition to her role at NEC NSS, Dr. Kiernan is the Founder and CEO of Kiernan Group Holdings (KGH), a women-owned global consulting firm specializing in intelligence, law enforcement, and national security.12 She is also an adjunct faculty member at the Naval Postgraduate School and has served on various advisory boards, including the Center for Advanced Red Teaming (CART) at SUNY Albany.1

Dr. Kiernan holds a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master's Degree in International Transaction from George Mason University, and a Master's of Science from the National Defense University.2 She has received numerous awards, including the American Security Today Platinum Award for Best Educational Program in Homeland Security from 2017 through 2023.2

Recently, Dr. Kiernan was recognized as part of the Security Industry Association's 2024 Women in Security Power 100, honoring her as one of 100 distinguished women who are role models, leaders, innovators, and influencers in the global security industry.4