Donovan Discussions presented by SOF(t)

Join us for an engaging evening of thought-provoking discussions at the Donovan Discussions. This in-person event will take place on Thursday, June 5th, 2025 at 1500 Farragut Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20011. Get ready to dive into captivating conversations with experts in various fields.

Cowboy Engineering: The Grit, Gaps, and Genius Behind America’s Tech Talent

June’s Donovan Discussions is hosted in partnership with Arrowhead Research. We’ll explore The Genius Behind America’s Tech Talent—a conversation on the untapped potential of Special Operations Forces and national security talent in driving innovation. From field-expedient engineering to systems thinking under pressure, this "cowboy engineering" mindset is a critical yet overlooked advantage in America’s tech race. Together, we’ll discuss how to bridge this unconventional talent pool with urgent needs in AI, energy, and the broader innovation economy.

What is the Donovan Discussions?

The Donovan Discussions brings together a diverse group of participants from the Special Operations community, intelligence community, academia, private sector, and policy leaders, united by a shared commitment to solving our nation's most challenging problems. Our discussions are inspired by the legacy of William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan, a true renaissance man who excelled in various fields, including soldiering, law, intelligence, and diplomacy. Although he is most famous for leading the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Wild Bill's experience gained from combat in World War I and at the OSS formed the foundation for his leadership style as a businessman, lawyer, and diplomat.

Wild Bill's work outside of intelligence, including founding the American Committee on United Europe, leading the People to People Foundation, working with the International Rescue Committee, and co-founding the American Friends of Vietnam, demonstrates his ability to affect change in every arena and break silos. He possessed the soul of a Special Operator and the ability to excel in various fields. The Donovan Discussions draws inspiration from Wild Bill's example as we seek to foster collaboration and break down silos across fields of expertise. Through these discussions, we aim to identify and explore areas of collaboration, working together to create effective and sustainable solutions to the toughest challenges facing our nation.

The Donovan Discussions provides a unique forum that fosters open and honest conversations among 50 participants. We encourage interaction and collaboration, enabling participants to share their perspectives and expertise freely and dynamically.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our next event; please invite a guest as we grow our community!