Events | Creative Disruptors in the Desert 2026

PAST EVENT

Creative Disruptors in the Desert

Featuring The Warfighting Innovation Summit

February 20-21, 2026 | La Quinta, CA

Annual Conference

Speed to Delivery:

Achieving Interoperable Robotics and Autonomy

This two-day event brought together leaders from across the defense innovation ecosystem — from senior government officials to emerging startups.

Day one opened with the debut of the Warfighting Innovation Summit and focused on emerging technologies and early-stage capabilities that can drive operational advantage.

Day two featured the flagship Disruptors In The Desert programming, with senior-level dialogue on national security innovation, and a special focus on interoperable robotics and autonomy.

CONFERENCE REPORTS

These reports are password protected. Please email info@creativedefense.org to request password.

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Conference Honorary Co-Host Messages

Government Participants:

Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congressman Ken Calvert, The Honorable Emil Michael, The Honorable Michael Duffey

Congressional Leader Remarks

Government Participants:

Congressman Jake Ellzey

Keynote Interview with General Dan Caine, 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Moderated by:

Congressman Ken Calvert

Intelligence Chat with Mr. Michael Ellis, Deputy Director, CIA

Moderated by:

Adam Fife, Advisor, Creative Defense Foundation

Fireside Chat Series – Voices of Defense Innovation Leadership

A curated series of conversations with senior leaders across the Department of War. These fireside chats brought the audience inside the room with the decision-makers driving Secretary Hegseth's call for speed, competition, and dual-use innovation. Each chat concluded with an interactive dialogue between government leaders and industry, designed to foster candid exchanges.

Fireside Chat with Under Secretaries of War

Moderated by:

Admiral (Ret) John Richardson, 31st Chief of Naval Operations

Government Participants:

The Honorable Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
The Honorable Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment

Fireside Chat with Assistant Secretaries of War

Moderated by:

Matt MacGregor, COO, Creative Defense Network

Government Participants:

The Honorable James Caggy, Assistant Secretary of War for Mission Capabilities
The Honorable Michael Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies
The Honorable Joe Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology

Fireside Chat with U.S. Navy Leaders

Moderated by:

Admiral (ret) John Richardson, 31st Chief of Naval Operations

Government Participants:

Admiral Daryl Caudle, 34th Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Admiral Seiko Okano, Principal Military Deputy for ASN RDA
Dr. Rachel Riley, Chief of Naval Research

Fireside Chat with U.S. Army Leaders

Moderated by:

Sally Donnelly, Founding Partner, Pallas Advisors

Government Participants:

The Honorable Michael Obadal, Under Secretary of the Army
The Honorable Brent Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology
Dr. Alex Miller, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Army
LTG Greg Anderson, Commanding General, 18th Airborne Corps

Fireside Chat with Air and Space Acquisition Leaders

Moderated by:

The Honorable Ellen Lord, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

Government Participants:

General Dale White, Director, Critical Major Weapon Systems
Mrs. Deidra Eberhardt, Chief of Staff, Space Systems Command

DOW Portfolio Acquisition Executives Panel

Moderated by:

Pete Modigliani, CEO, Creative Defense Network

This panel explored the newly established Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs) created by the Department of War to unify capability development and accelerate innovation across the Services. These executives represent a new generation of acquisition leadership charged with integrating portfolios that cut across traditional domains -- from autonomous systems and ISR networks to resilient logistics and advanced munitions. The panel explored how each Service's PAE is aligning rapid acquisition authorities, digital engineering tools, and commercial technology transitions to deliver measurable operational advantage.

The Future Battlefield – Emerging Technologies and Defending the Indo-Pacific

Moderated by:

Clay Duarte, Director of Special Projects, Defense and Commercial Innovation, FedTech

This panel engaged with policymakers and experts from the defense community to provide companies with critical context on how emerging technologies can support warfighters in this theater. Speakers highlighted capability gaps, priority technology areas, and openings for industry to contribute.

Innovation in the Inland Empire: The Southern California Aerospace and Defense Coalition

Moderated by:

Justin McEwen, Defense and Commercial Innovation Lead, FedTech

The Inland Empire has a strong history as an engine of defense manufacturing and innovation. Speakers included a new generation of local leaders that are building new pathways and partnerships to increase the region's contribution to the nation's defense industrial base.

The Real Lessons from Ukraine and Israel

Moderated by:

Matt MacGregor, COO, Creative Defense Network

This panel provided a deep dive into defense and technological lessons emerging from Ukraine and Israel, with a focus on how the private sector is contributing to the warfighter.

The Adoption Gap – A New Approach to Startup Integration

Moderated by:

Ben Solomon, CEO, FedTech

New acquisition guidelines across the federal government emphasize measurable impact and rapid delivery. This session examined how commercial technologies can be integrated more quickly into defense programs and focused on existing barriers and new pathways/pilot programs designed to accelerate adoption timelines.

Capital Pathways for Dual-Use Innovation

Moderated by:

Robyn Brazzil, COO, FedTech

The dual-use funding landscape is changing. Investors are more interested in defense tech than ever before, the future of SBIR is uncertain, and new government-led funding pathways are popping up across the Pentagon. This panel discussed where startups go to find funding and develop their technology.