"It's not de-globalization; it's being really thoughtful about which allies and partners to use, and perhaps even 'friend-shoring'...thinking clearly about which allies and partners to use." - Shelly O'Neill Stoneman

In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts welcome Shelly O'Neill Stoneman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Lockheed Martin. In the discussion, Shelly shares insights on her diverse career journey spanning government, non-profit, and private sectors. Shelly emphasizes Lockheed Martin's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration with startups, highlighting programs like LM Ventures. She discusses the importance of a diverse workforce and her role as the chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). Shelly also delves into the evolving defense industrial base, stressing the need for international partnerships, supply chain resilience, and the integration of technology. She underscores the significance of both established primes and emerging startups in addressing the dynamic challenges of the defense sector.

Key Takeaways:

1. Shelly highlights the importance of creating a mission-driven environment to attract talent to the defense industrial base, emphasizing the broader scope beyond traditional perceptions.
2. The episode emphasizes the need for strong partnerships with allies and international collaboration, as seen in initiatives like AUKUS, to address supply chain challenges and enhance interoperability.
3. Shelly underscores the role of primes like Lockheed Martin in fostering innovation and solving complex problems, challenging the perception that only startups bring innovation to the defense sector.
4. Mentorship is crucial for career development, and Shelly shares her gratitude for mentors who played significant roles in her career, including James Allen Walden and Debbie James.
5. The conversation touches on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) and the Leadership Council on Women in National Security (LC WINS), highlighting the importance of diversity in the defense sector and the need for mentorship at various career stages.