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Mike Baird

Mike Baird

Global Security & Defense Tech Enthusiast | Former Pilot, Diplomat, & Intelligence Professional

UkraineInternational Affairs
Company
Green Flag Ventures
Title
Venture Partner
Seniority
Partner
Department
C Suite
Location
Ukraine
Industry
International Affairs

About

I navigate cultures/languages, ambiguity, and resource constraints in high-stress environments to foster cross-cultural relationships, build networks, and lead teams across multiple functional domains to drive results in operations, project management, client relationship management, and sales. In current and prior roles at US Embassies in Ukraine and the Kyrgyz Republic I have acted as a liaison between host-nation military forces, the U.S. Department of State, and a multitude of DoD organizations to balance competing priorities, navigate bureaucratic obstacles, create solutions, and obtain buy-in from all stakeholders to achieve security cooperation results consistent with U.S. National Defense Strategy. With 5+ years working in and with Ukrainians over the last 10 years, I'm keenly attuned to the emergent defense technologies making their debut in the conflict and I'm passionate about the importance of translating lessons learned there into material solutions for the American warfig…

Experience

Director of Business Development (Europe)

Stealth Startup (Defense & Dual-Use) · Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine

Present

Country Director (Ukraine)

Stealth Startup (Defense & Dual-Use) · Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine

Venture Partner

Green Flag Ventures · Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine

Present

Green Flag Ventures invests in early-stage Ukrainian companies defining the future of defense, AI, and cyber. As a Venture Partner based in Kyiv, I leverage my extensive experience in the US and Ukrainian defense communities to scout cutting-edge technologies, provide strategic guidance, and support portfolio development.

Strategy & Statecraft Fellow

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) · Washington, DC

https://www.csis.org/programs/international-security-program/2024-strategy-and-statecraft-fellowship

U.S. Air Force Attaché to Ukraine

Defense Intelligence Agency · Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine

Developed and managed key client relationships within the Ukrainian Air Force and Armed Forces in support of US national security objectives, acting as Chief of Staff of the US Air Force's representative to the Ukrainian Air Force, and serving as US Ambassador's Air Force advisor at US Embassy, Kyiv.

Joint Military Attaché School Faculty & Cybersecurity Training Program Manager

Defense Intelligence Agency · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Taught all aspects of international/interagency client relationship and leading the development and implementation of a digital privacy and cyber hygiene program for 15-week cohorts of 60+ senior Department of Defense (DoD) officers 3 times/year. Graduates represent the DoD at US Embassies abroad.

Senior U.S. Defense Official & Attaché to Kyrgyzstan

Defense Intelligence Agency · Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Led an 8-person team managing key client relationships in the Kyrgyz Armed Forces in support of U.S. national security objectives and acted as primary interlocutor for Kyrgyz Armed Forces to the US Government, while serving as U.S. Ambassador's senior military advisor and the senior DoD official in the Kyrgyz Republic representing the Secretary of Defense, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, and Commander of U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).

U.S. Air Force Attaché to Ukraine

Defense Intelligence Agency · Kyiv, Ukraine

Developed and managed key client relationships within the Ukrainian Air Force in support of US national security objectives, acted as the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force's representative to the Ukrainian Air Force, and served as US Ambassador's principal Air Force advisor at US Embassy, Kyiv.

Air Force Special Operations Programs Foreign Military Sales Compliance Manager

Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) · Washington D.C. Metro Area

Ensured compliance with foreign disclosure and tech transfer regulation, policy, and law for Air Force Special Ops Programs.

Research/Educational Fellow (Olmsted Scholarship) & Military Advisor

The Olmsted Foundation · Lviv, Ukraine

Developed conversational proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian while studying the history, culture, and politics of Eastern Europe and Russia at the Ukrainian Catholic University of Lviv while living in Ukraine prior to, during, and after the ‘Maidan’ Revolution. Served as military advisor and regional expert for US embassy open source media 24-hour task force during months-long interruption in formal university studies due to revolution and subsequent war.

U-28 Pilot/Instructor and Operations/Training Manager

Air Force Special Operations Command · Hurlburt Field, FL

F-16 Pilot and Training Coordinator/Project Manager

United States Air Force · Misawa AB, Japan

Education

Shift

Defense Ventures Fellow

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science - BS, Electrical Engineering

University of Oklahoma

Master of Arts - MA, International Relations

Ukrainian Catholic University

Master of Arts - MA, Eastern & Central European History

General Assembly

Product Management

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