Gus Kangas

About Gus Kangas

I build trust, speed, and credibility at the intersection of national security, AI, and storytelling. Former CIA Directorate of Operations / USAF Special Operations / U.S. Department of State; now a strategist and storyteller helping defense-tech leaders and studios deliver trustworthy capabilities and authentic narratives that move stakeholders to act.Over 30 years I led global operations, managed $150M+ programs, and advised senior leaders on counterterrorism, crisis response, and geopolitical risk. I launched the CIA’s first fully virtual station, integrated HUMINT with digital tradecraft, and partnered with foreign governments and national-security organizations across Africa and Asia.As Chief Strategy Officer at Vigilant Pictures, I turn lived experience into films, documentaries, and podcasts that are both accurate and commercially viable. Previously, as Chief Innovation Officer at RL Leaders, I merged entertainment with defense innovation to deliver solutions for DoD and the Intelligence Community. A long runway as a professional SAG-AFTRA actor sharpened the narrative and persuasion skills I use with executives, investors, and audiences.I also serve on the Advisory Board of an AI verification company, focused on behavioral authenticity and adaptive stress-testing—the “UL for AI”—so models behave safely and predictably in the wild and in mission.Where I move the needle: national-security strategy; AI and dual-use tech adoption in Defense/IC; interagency/ally engagement; crisis/risk management; and authenticity consulting for high-stakes productions.If you’re building in national security, media, or creative industries, let’s connect and compare notes.

Experience

1. Actor

   SAG-AFTRA

   Sep 1979 — Present

   Member of SAG-AFTRA and EQUITY.

Education

• Boston University - Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies (Pardee School)

  B.A., International Relations and Security Studies

  1990 — 1994

• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Master's degree, MIPP

  2016 — 2017

Skills

• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Strategic Communications
• Editing
• Public Policy
• Strategic Planning
• Diplomacy
• Sag
• Security Clearance
• International Relations
• Policy Analysis
• Aftra
• Business Intelligence
• Speech Writing
• Marketing
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking
• Business Development
• Military Operations
• Military
• Fundraising
• Strategy
• Volunteer Management
• Command
• Dod
• National Security
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Research
• Cyber
• Management
• Project Management
• Operational Planning
• Policy
• Information Security
• Social Media
• U.s. Department of Defense
• Counterterrorism
• Defense
• Public Relations