Elizabeth (Betsy) Kowalski
Ms. Betsy Kowalski serves as the Designated Federal Officer of the Defense Science Board, which provides independent advice and recommendations on matters of special interest to drive innovation and efficiency in the global science and technology enterprise for the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior stakeholders throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). As a principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, she represents the DoD substantively on Board matters having equities within the science and technology enterprise at meetings with congressional staff, executives, and high-level officials of other government agencies, industry, academia and the private sector. As the Board’s Designated Federal Official, she is responsible for ensuring that the Defense Science Board operations are conducted according to all applicable laws and regulations.
Ms. Kowalski has work experience in private industry, uniformed military service, county, state, and federal government positions. Previously she was the Senior Advisor to the Defense Science Board, where she was responsible for all Board messaging, communications, materiel support, special access portfolio management, and acted as an interface between the Board and groups such as the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Intelligence Community organizations, Military Departments and other governmental entities to ensure timely coordination to meet stakeholder needs. She previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Analyst for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security, where she was responsible for leading, influencing, and negotiating massive policy reform throughout the Department of Defense. She has also served as an Inspector General and Operations Security Program Manager for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency which enables the United States Government and International Partners to counter and deter Weapons of Mass Destruction and Improvised Threat Networks worldwide. Ms. Kowalski has worked for numerous private industry firms, the State of Mississippi’s Tort Claims Board, and Pinellas County’s Department of Risk Management in the state of Florida. Ms. Kowalski is a trained Intelligence Officer who retired from the United States Army, including both Active Duty and Reserve statuses in April 2022. She served in a combat tour to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and she received her commission through the United States Army’s Officer Candidate School in Fort Moore, Georgia. Ms. Kowalski has been recognized with numerous commendations during her career including, but not limited to the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Achievement Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Ms. Kowalski completed a Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia. She also holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi; and she is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute.