Karen Roth

About Karen Roth

Karen Roth is an experienced Department of Defense leader specializing in cyber, artificial intelligence, and digital engineering. She most recently served as the Deputy Director of AFWERX, the Air Force’s rapid innovation arm, where she oversaw the acceleration of high-impact technologies for national defense. Previously, as Chief Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate, she ensured technical excellence across a $1.5 billion portfolio and spearheaded the creation of the Innovare Alliance, a global community of scientists and entrepreneurs focused on open innovation.Prior to her leadership roles within the Air Force, Ms. Roth served as a Lead Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton and a Project Technical Lead for system security at Sikorsky Aircraft, where she focused on combat rescue helicopters. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for women in STEM, serving in numerous leadership capacities for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), including as President and Treasurer. Her commitment to the engineering community also includes participation in the Girl Scouts and regional engineering executive councils.Passionate supporter of women in STEM careers through non-profit Board work in organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Board service primarily focused on fiduciary responsibilities and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Governance skills include the capability to assess portfolios and analyze the needs of partners in diverse areas to ensure strategic direction is correct. Creation of a clear, concise strategy empowers the organization to move forward and aggressively execute goals and address impediments proactively. Demonstrated through the creation of the Innovare Advancement Center brand and non-profit work.Interested in continued Board service in areas where talents of STEM, Partnership Building, Cybersecurity, and Strategic Planning can be utilized.

Experience

1. National Security and Defense Consultant

   The Roosevelt Group

   Jan 2026 — Present

   Provides advisory Services on national defense, security, the Air Force Research Laboratory, SBIR/STTR program to clients in the federal space.

Education

• Cornell University

  MEng, Systems Engineering

  2006 — 2009

• Harvard Kennedy School

  Certificate, Public Leadership

  2021 — 2025

• Rochester Institute of Technology

  BS, Software Engineering

  2001 — 2006

• Indiana University - Kelley School of Business

  Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.)

  2015 — 2017

Skills

• R&D
• Security
• Enterprise Architecture
• C4isr
• Requirements Management
• Space Systems
• Electronic Warfare
• Economics
• Aircraft
• Engineering
• Aerospace
• Software Engineering
• Spacecraft
• Dodaf
• Testing
• Government Contracting
• Agile Methodologies
• Systems Engineering
• Systems Design
• Command & Control
• Dod
• Information Assurance
• Command
• Perl
• Technical Leadership
• Scrum
• Earned Value Management
• Computer Security
• Java
• Security Clearance
• Jira
• Radar
• Eclipse
• Requirements Analysis
• Technical Writing
• Pmp
• Leadership
• Defense
• Military
• Engineering Management