Heather Ichord

Heather Ichord is a Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), focused on developing and accelerating commercial technologies for the Department of Defense.

Heather previously spent more than a decade on active duty as a logistics officer in the United States Marine Corps and joined DIU after working as a consultant at the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. She holds expertise in both public and private sector strategy, product development, and support operations. Previously, she served in educational, recruiting/human resources, and legislative liaison roles.

Heather also currently serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. She most recently completed a tour as Regimental Logistics Officer, 25th Marine Regiment, and is now assigned leading work on Contested Logistics challenges at the Marine Innovation Unit.

Heather is an alumna of the United States Naval Academy, where she was a three-time varsity letter-winner on the women’s rowing team. She is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Boston University, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Patrol Base Abbate. She lives in Greater San Diego.