Maria Tranquilli is a champion of the everyday innovator, bolstering 20 years of experience in startups on the frontlines of creative disruption, sitting at the nexus innovation, entrepreneurship and Defense. She’s currently working on a bold new venture in stealth mode.

Previously, Maria served as founding Director of the Defense Ventures portfolio at Shift, on a mission to supercharge the defense-industrial partnership that underpins America’s national security and economic vitality. Prior to her appointment to this role, Maria spent six years as NASDAQ’s Head of Global Programs and Founder Community, guiding the launch and hyper-growth of 1000’s of startups world-wide.