Aftan Snyder

About Aftan Snyder

Policy and operations leader with proven expertise managing cross-functional teams, driving strategic execution, and building alignment across government, civil society, and technology sectors. Track record scaling teams to 41 staff, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and translating strategic direction into deliverables. Background spans national security policy (State Department, CSIS), AI/biometrics policy (Meta FRT—guiding product development, engaging regulators and civil liberty groups), and operational leadership for mission-critical government programs. Strong drafting skills with experience writing for C-Suite executives and briefing senior government officials. M.A. in Security Policy Studies; CCMP, CSPO, CSM certified.

Experience

1. Program Manager

   Steampunk, Inc.

   May 2025 — Present

   Lead 41-person program across five sub-teams delivering mission-critical SaaS products for U.S. gov agency. Manage day-to-day operations, team health, priorities, and cross-functional alignment. Grew team from 15 to 41 during period of declining government accounts with quality delivery and strong future vision. Own all aspects of team management including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development. Regularly represent program leadership in cross-functional decision-making forums. Draft executive briefings and one-pagers for Executive Assistant Commissioner-level officials.Navigate complex stakeholder dynamics across directorates with competing priorities and historical tensions, building trust between groups that typically do not communicate effectively. Balance delivery excellence with client relationship management and business development.Drive rapid strategic execution responding to urgent policy changes. Example: designed and launched international travel tracking capability within two weeks of new requirements, then stood up new team for accelerated mobile deployment.Demonstrated strong operational instincts by formalizing release timelines, creating SOPs to reduce firefighting, rationalizing meeting loads, and introducing agile adjustments that improved delivery velocity.Built and executed multi-channel change management and communications strategies to drive technology adoption across agency, including centralized hub for announcements, training, and user guides.Selected for competitive \"Explorers Program\"(~7-10 high performers) with executive leadership coaching; presented to Operational Leadership Team. Earned Office of CEO Hustle Award (12 high performers annually selected) and two Unsung Hero awards for leadership and initiative (12 selected from CBP portfolio annually).

Education

• Hope College

  Bachelor’s Degree, International Studies, English with Writing Emphasis

  2007 — 2011

• The George Washington University

  Master’s Degree, Security Policy Studies

  2015 — 2017

Skills

• Press Releases
• New Media
• Creative Writing
• Diplomacy
• Public Policy
• Research
• Blogging
• Political Science
• Adaptation
• Nonprofits
• International Relations
• Facebook
• Event Management
• Cross-Cultural Teams
• Editing
• Spanish
• Copy Editing
• Journalism
• Writing
• Strategic Communications
• Editorial
• Policy Analysis
• Foreign Policy
• Politics
• Social Media
• Indesign
• Storytelling
• Media Relations
• Proofreading
• Social Networking