Karyn Hayes-Ryan
Executive Strategic Advisor for Intelligence, Defense, and Aerospace
A distinguished Senior Executive and trusted advisor with over 20 years of leadership at the highest levels of the US Intelligence Community. Karyn provides unparalleled strategic insight to help organizations navigate the complex defense and aerospace landscape, drive growth, and achieve mission success.
personExecutive Profile
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the US Intelligence Community and Department of Defense, Karyn Hayes-Ryan held key positions at the NGA, NRO, and CIA. Her 17-year tenure in the Senior Executive Service was defined by a commitment to innovation and excellence, culminating in her role as a Component Acquisition Executive at NGA, responsible for programmatic and technical oversight for all NGA systems and future procurements.
visibilityUnparalleled Insider Perspective
This deep, firsthand experience provides an unmatched understanding of the complex federal landscape, enabling clients to navigate it with confidence and precision. Karyn's leadership in roles like Deputy COO of the NRO and chairing the Allied Acquisition Forum with Five-Eyes partners provides a unique strategic advantage.
trending_upStrategic Growth Acceleration
Following her government service, Karyn established KHR Impacts, LLC, a consultancy that translates deep market knowledge into actionable strategies for business development, market capture, and proposal success, connecting businesses to the resources critical for growth in the federal market.
grid_viewCore Services
manage_accountsProgram & Project Management
Allow us to help you navigate your company’s complex program and projects, including program planning, integrated schedule and test management, resource management and technical oversight.
gavelAcquisition Support
We can assist your company develop acquisition strategies, draft, review and integrate proposals, recommend teaming arrangements, review potential protest material, RFI responses, and guidance on the government source selection process.
cognitionCorporate Strategy
KHR Impacts advises companies on the government market, business development, investment decisions, and potential partnerships and teaming arrangements. We also advise non-traditional defense contractors on entering the government market space.
schoolCoaching & Mentoring
KHR Impacts provides strategy and leadership coaching to new executives; coaches industry and government personnel on program and project management techniques (including COTR/COR); works with companies to understand government acquisition, requirements and source selection processes.
work_historyCareer Highlights
Delivers agile strategic, engineering, and acquisition support to the intelligence, defense, and aerospace sectors.
Led and managed the accession, training, and career development of the Acquisition Workforce. Provided strategic oversight for the entire NSG acquisition program.
Responsible for all NRO acquisition and operational activities, including mission partner collaboration with the NGA.
Directed the end-to-end Future Imagery Architecture program plan, conducting requirements trades and risk analysis for the NGA and NRO.
Served in key roles as an imagery analyst, collection resource manager, and engineer at the CIA, NRO, and NGA's predecessor organizations.
verified_userAgency Experience
groupsBoard Experience
- Project Geospatial
- Zero Trafficking
- Coastal Carolina University, School of Intelligence and Security
- Women in Technology
schoolEducation
workspace_premiumM.S. Systems Engineering
George Washington University
schoolB.A. Foreign Service
Pennsylvania State University
schoolB.A. International Politics
Pennsylvania State University