Kelli Esser

Kelli Esser

Associate Director of the Intelligent Systems Division

Dr. Kelli Esser joined the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (NSI) in January 2023 as the Associate Director of the Intelligent Systems Division. She is a recognized and versatile leader and change agent with over seventeen years of experience working with national and homeland security agencies to improve the planning, management, and coordination of research development and innovation investments across public and private partners.

Kelli currently serves as the Strategic Advisor for Research and Development (R&D) Coordination for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate. Within this role, she leads the coordination of department-wide R&D and innovation to ensure balanced and effective use of investments to address today’s needs while also anticipating future emerging threats and technologies.

Prior to joining DHS in 2019, Kelli served within Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) as senior enterprise systems engineer and operations analyst. She has extensive experience as trusted advisor to executive leaders in DHS and Department of Defense, recommending novel ways to conduct test and evaluation, capabilities-based planning, and operational assessments in support of technology development, transition, and deployment.

Kelli holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics and M.A. in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Duquesne University.