Shawnee Delaney

Shawnee Delaney is the founder and CEO of Vaillance Group. With a robust background as a decorated Clandestine Services Officer, Delaney has extensive experience from her near-decade tenure with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), where she conducted human intelligence (HUMINT) operations globally. Her service record includes four combat zone tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, fulfilling roles as a Case Officer and Detachment Chief, and a tenure as a Supervisory Branch Chief in Europe.

After her time with the DIA, Delaney continued to contribute to national security by supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), focusing on the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure and industrial control systems as part of the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT). In the private sector, she has developed Insider Threat programs for major Fortune 500 companies, leveraging her expertise in cybersecurity and industrial control systems. Delaney's academic credentials include an M.A. in International Policy Studies with a Specialization in Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation, a M.S. in Cyber Security, and she is currently pursuing a third Masters in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Delaney is also an accomplished speaker, delivering keynotes on a range of topics including cybersecurity, espionage, and insider threats. Her presentations, such as "Beyond Firewalls: Understanding Human Risk in Cybersecurity" and "The Hidden Enemy: Detecting and Preventing Insider Threats to Intellectual Property," combine her intelligence background with practical strategies for business and security leadership. She has been cited in and has written for publications such as the Cipher Brief, Fox Business, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, the Hill, and the Financial Times. Delaney’s ability to connect with her audience through real-life stories and her in-depth knowledge makes her a sought-after speaker in national security and business circles. She recently spoke at Harvard Kennedy School on a panel about careers in National Security, showcasing her insights from a female leader's perspective.