Bio

Ellery (Don) DeSanto is the director of DoD AI, Cloud & Cyber programs for the Defense Intelligence business of BAE Systems Inc. Don has over 25 years of business and technology leadership experience working in the military, U.S. Intelligence Community, defense Industry, and commercial startups. He plays a key role in daily operations to include program execution, financial performance, strategy development and execution, customer relationship management and new business growth. Don’s previous BAE Systems role as Director Strategic Partnerships positioned him to shape the growth strategy for the company’s entire AI and Cloud services enterprise. Prior to this role, Don served more than 20 years in technology leadership roles to include Solutions Architect, Chief Engineer, IT Scientist within the government IT services market, where he was responsible for identifying, creating, and delivering a variety of innovative cybersecurity, network engineering, and systems engineering solutions to address complex business requirements and capture new business. His technical specialties include architecture, cross-domain solutions, cybersecurity, enterprise IT network engineering, routing, switching, Unix, and virtualization. He also has a proven track record of leveraging his technical specialties and experience for driving business development, forging strategic business partnerships, fostering customer engagement, and managing/executing large-scale product and service deliveries and training. Don is a proud Naval veteran of 9 ½ years supporting Space Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).