The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) will hold the 4th Annual Achievement Awards Ceremony Wednesday, November 13th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. The ceremony will honor six young professionals in the intelligence and national security sectors for their professional contributions to the community.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker is Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the event will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with registration closing November 6th.
WashingtonExec chatted with award recipients about their nominations, what it means to them, their mission and more.
Today’s featured interview is with Dr. Amber Aiken, Senior Intelligence Officer for Technologies for the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, and winner of the Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award.
WashingtonExec: Did you know you were nominated for the award, or was it a surprise?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I did not know I was nominated for the award. It was a wonderful surprise!
WashingtonExec: Have you prepared a speech, or do you plan on saying the first thing that comes to mind?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I will prepare at least a guideline for a speech.
WashingtonExec: How would you describe your mission?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I am the Senior Intelligence Officer for Technologies for the National Ground Intelligence Center. I play a variety of roles in facilitating analysis of emerging technologies and in how we support our customers.
WashingtonExec: Finish the sentence: The best part of about my job is…
Dr. Amber Aiken: Working with so many talented people with such diverse backgrounds.
WashingtonExec: Could you name an aspect of your job that you did not expect when you were first brought on?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I was brought on a few months before 9-11 happened. I did not expect the current operations environment and pace during wartime. There was an influx of uniformed personnel and contractors that changed the nature of the workforce.
WashingtonExec: Who is someone you admire? or Who has been a mentor to you throughout your career?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I admire many people both within NGIC and outside. My first informal mentor would eventually become my husband. I admire his affable approach to his job, among many other things. I have borrowed many best practices from my parents, who continue to inspire me. I have not had an official mentor, but there are many people at NGIC who have provided valuable guidance.
WashingtonExec: What is something you are most proud of, personally?
Dr. Amber Aiken: My two wonderful sons, Seffian and Mace. They mean the world to me and I am incredibly proud of their development and their friendly, unique personalities.
WashingtonExec: What organizations are you involved with outside of work?
Dr. Amber Aiken: I am a singer/songwriter/piano player and am a member of a band duo called Take Two. I also produced two albums with the band Burley Maple. Music brings great joy to my life. I am also a member of the American Physical Society.
WashingtonExec: What is your favorite intelligence movie or book?
Dr. Amber Aiken: Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal, by Ben Macintyre.
