THE COMMON MISSION PROJECT

ABOUT

OUR VISION

To build Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs to solve critical national security, civic, and social challenges.

From national security to natural disasters, from energy to the environment, the critical challenges we face today have common elements:

  • They cut across government, private, and non-profit sectors

  • Are constantly evolving in a fast-moving world

  • Require a problem-based approach to ensure solutions are relevant, grounded, and implementable in the real world.

No one can insulate themselves from the effects of these challenges — they impact all of us.

HISTORY

The Common Mission Project is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization formed following the successful pilot of the Hacking for Defense® course at Stanford University in 2016.

Since its inception, the Common Mission Project has demonstrated that students can tackle some of the toughest government problems and, in doing so, create vibrant and diverse ecosystems where government, academia, and industry build partnerships around problems, prototypes, and solutions to urgent challenges facing our nation. 

At the Common Mission Project, we realize the role that our methodology has—addressing the most challenging issues facing us.

TEAM

Maria Tranquilli
Executive Director

“We will empower the next generation of problem solvers to tackle the toughest issues facing our country and our international allies. Together, we’ll ensure the preservation and growth of our greatest asset amongst a new generation: the spirit of American innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Bio | LinkedIn

Ashley Bayana
Director of Operations

Bio | Linkedin

Jeff Decker
Director of Education

Bio | Linkedin

Sean Holland
Finance and Systems Manager

Bio | Linkedin

Sharon Nguyen
Junior Analyst

Bio

Bull Holland
Education Manager

Bio

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pete Newell
Chairman of the Board

Bio | Linkedin

Tim Newell
Board Member

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Steve Weinstein
Board Member

Bio | Linkedin

ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD

The Common Mission Project Academic Advisory Board serves the purpose of uniting thought leaders across the H4 ecosystem in order to generate ideas, tools, and broader pedagogical advancement of Lean LaunchPad.

Rachel Costello
Entrepreneur in Residence Emerita, University of California San Diego

Bio | LinkedIn

Jeff Decker
Managing Director & Co-Instructor, H4D Course, Stanford University

Bio | LinkedIn

Bernie Kaussler
Professor of Political Science, James Madison University

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Magda Lagoudas
Executive Director, Industry & Nonprofit Partnerships, Texas A&M

Bio | LinkedIn

David Riel
Distinguished Service Professor, Heinz College of Information Services & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

Bio | LinkedIn

Dr. Jeannice Samani
Vice President of IT and Senior Manager of Global Operations

Bio | LinkedIn

BOARD OF ADVISORS

The Board of Advisors is a group of defense, entrepreneurship, policy and technology experts who support the Common Mission Projects’s goal of building mission driven entrepreneurs to solve critical national security, civic, and social challenges.

PARTNERS

Are you looking for solutions to a challenging problem faced by your organization or community?