Dr. Lisa Costa is a trailblazing figure in defence and technology, having served as the first permanent Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO) of the United States Space Force. With a career spanning over three decades in both public service and private sector leadership, Dr Costa has become a symbol of pioneering vision, inspiring countless women to pursue careers in STEM and leadership roles within the tech and defence industries.
A career built on resilience and innovation
Dr. Costa began her career at a very early age as a full-time junior programmer at 18 while she was still in school. She graduated with a mathematics and Computer Science from Rollins College, an MBA from Tampa College, and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering Management from Union Institute & University. Her career is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to break the status quo and introduce cutting-edge technologies into complex, high-risk environments. Before entering the U.S. Space Force, Dr. Costa was Director of Communications Systems and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), overseeing cutting-edge technologies and operations innovation. In the private sector, she held executive roles focused on big data, artificial intelligence, and real-time risk analytics. She exhibited her capacity to take military requirements and convert them into private-sector innovation.
Driving digital transformation in defence
As U.S. Space Force CTIO from 2021 to 2024, Dr. Lisa Costa was tasked with leading technology strategy, policy, and digital transformation efforts. Her mission was to bring innovation into the very DNA of the service so that it would be able to counter future threats in an increasingly congested and contested space domain. She emphasised speed, agility, and collaboration as the principles to transform how the military uses data, software, and emerging technologies.
In her words: “You have to put speed and risk into the hands of our airmen and guardians. They have to know they’re allowed to fail fast and move on.” Her leadership philosophy promotes experimentation, resilience, and bold thinking—qualities essential for modern defence challenges.
A new chapter in AI innovation
After retiring from federal service in mid-2024, Dr. Lisa Costa continued her mission to drive technological progress by joining the advisory board of Seekr, an artificial intelligence startup. In this new role, she brings her deep expertise in defence innovation to support the development of trusted AI systems for government use. Her transition reflects an ongoing commitment to responsible innovation and public-private collaboration in the age of intelligent technologies. Dr. Costa is also an outspoken advocate for women in technology.
On television, at conferences, and in interviews, she encourages young women to pursue technical jobs and leadership roles despite what traditional gender expectations may dictate. “Don’t be afraid to do work that challenges you,” she says. “Growth happens beyond the comfort zone.” Her own achievement in a field dominated by men is an affirmation of the power of perseverance, lifelong learning, and audacity. Today, she remains a mentor and inspiration to the next generation of women who are breaking barriers in science, technology, engineering, and defence.
Inspiring the next generation
Lisa Costa’s legacy is still in the making, but her impact is already clear. She exemplifies what’s possible when technical expertise meets fearless leadership. Whether shaping the digital-first future of the Space Force or guiding the development of AI in the private sector, she continues to inspire women around the world to aim high—in every sense of the phrase.
