Government and public sector
10 Defense Innovation Unit staff
These ten current and former Defense Innovation Unit staff have worked at the Defense Innovation Unit. A reader can learn how program managers and portfolio leaders at the Defense Innovation Unit approach their work from people who have held these roles.
Professionals to explore
01—10Connor Crilly
LinkedInExperience: Senior Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) · United States Air Force
Senior Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2025 in a United States Air Force role, managing several projects within DIU's Space Portfolio according to the profile. Connor Crilly was earlier an Air Force Program Manager at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (2022–2025) and at Space Systems Center (2020–2022).
Dustin Yee
LinkedInExperience: Program Manager I Human Systems · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Program Manager for Human Systems at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2023, after an earlier Program Manager Human Systems stint (2022) and work as a DIU Portfolio Analyst (2020–2022). Between DIU roles Dustin Yee was a Challenge Manager on the NATO DIANA Transition Team (2022–2023), and was Co-Founder of Pomcare (2021–2022).
Greg Sundbeck
LinkedInExperience: chief of acquisitions - Austin · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Former chief of acquisitions for the Austin office of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) (2019–2022), responsible for guiding acquisition activities from that office according to the profile. Greg Sundbeck also held a Partner role at AFVentures within AFWERX over the same period, and is now a Program Manager in the United States Air Force (since 2022).
Harry Dhillon
LinkedInExperience: Senior Program Manager · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Senior Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2025, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The profile says Harry Dhillon leads early-stage investments for the Space and Emerging Tech portfolios within DIU. The listing also shows a Principal role at National Security Innovation Capital (since 2021) and earlier strategy and business development work at Lockheed Martin Space (2014–2018).
James Matsey
LinkedInExperience: Product Portfolio Director · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Product Portfolio Director at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2025, a director-level product role; the headline reads Director of Product, AI & Autonomy. James Matsey was earlier Director of Product at SMX (2024–2025), Senior Product Manager at Vision (2023–2024) and a Product Manager at Northrop Grumman (2020–2023).
Jesse Gipe
LinkedInExperience: Deputy Director, Commercial Operations · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Deputy Director, Commercial Operations at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2026, after serving as DIU's Director, Early-stage Portfolio (2024–2026). Jesse Gipe is also a Regional Director at the Air Force Research Laboratory (since 2021), and was Acting National Operations Director (2023–2024) and Pacific-South Regional Director (2020–2024) at the National Security Innovation Network.
Joshua Zike
LinkedInExperience: Autonomy Program Manager & US Coast Guard Liaison · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Former Autonomy Program Manager & US Coast Guard Liaison at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) (2023–2026), based in Mountain View. The profile describes the work as rapid prototyping and transition of commercially derived technology for the warfighter. Before DIU, Joshua Zike was Commanding Officer of USCGC Elm (2020–2023) and of CGC Neah Bay (2014–2017) in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mike Seltzer
LinkedInExperience: Program Manager · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2020, and Portfolio Director there in 2023. The profile describes Mike Seltzer as an Air Force F-35 pilot and former Director of the Autonomy Portfolio, leading DoD partners through problem curation, source selection, execution and fielding of commercial solutions. The listing also shows a Sloan Fellow role at Stanford Graduate School of Business (2014–2015).
Nick Ksiazek
LinkedInExperience: Senior AI Project Manager · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Former Senior AI Project Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) (2020–2026), based in Mountain View, a senior project management role. Nick Ksiazek is now a Program Manager at CHAOS Industries (since 2026), and was earlier a MAGTF Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve (2015–2020) and a Strategy Manager at Accenture (2017–2020).
Niko Votipka
LinkedInExperience: Senior Program Manager- Talent Portfolio · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Senior Program Manager for the Talent Portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2024. The profile says Niko Votipka led a team of seven program managers across eight programs and engaged over 1,400 students at 89 universities. Earlier roles include Director of Federal Business Development at Galvanize (2022–2024) and C-17 Instructor Pilot and F-15E Pilot in the United States Air Force.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's portfolio and role to your question, since a space or autonomy program manager, a portfolio director and an acquisitions lead see different parts of the work. Check whether the role is current or former and which office or portfolio it covered.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a Defense Innovation Unit program manager take a project from problem curation to a fielded prototype?
- 02How are the Defense Innovation Unit's portfolios organized, and how does a portfolio director run one?
- 03How do military officers assigned to the Defense Innovation Unit split time between their service and portfolio work?
Reaching Defense Innovation Unit staff
How can I contact one of these Defense Innovation Unit staff?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: United States Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), based on profile data retrieved on October 10, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Defense Innovation Unit staff?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these Defense Innovation Unit staff a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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