CMDCM Rachel
Costello, USN (Ret.)
CMDCM Rachel Costello, USN (Ret.)
Director, National Securities Initiatives
University of California, San Diego
A 30-year U.S. Navy veteran turned Silicon Valley innovator, Rachel Costello operates at the critical intersection of frontline defense and cutting-edge technology. Having served as a Principal Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and transitioned her operational expertise to Tesla Motors, Rachel now leads The FORGE at UC San Diego. Here, she spearheads a multi-layered national security initiative that doesn't just fund emerging tech—it scales it. By integrating human-centered design with commercialization strategies, she is actively strengthening the defense industrial base, growing the defense tech ecosystem, and cultivating an elite workforce capable of solving high-stakes, real-world challenges.
Rachel’s influence is global, serving as a strategic bridge between the U.S. and the burgeoning Nordic and Baltic defense tech ecosystems. As a mentor and steering committee member for Estonia’s Creative Destruction Lab, she leverages her unique background to help international startups navigate the complexities of dual-use technology and global markets. From partnering with Sweden’s defense innovation agency to empowering European entrepreneurs, Rachel acts as a high-level catalyst for international security, ensuring that the next generation of innovation is both mission-ready and globally scalable.
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