Dr. Kristin Schaaf

Dr. Kristin Schaaf serves as the Acting Director of the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, and Acting Director of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, which ICAM manages and executes. In these capacities, Dr. Schaaf leverages broad authorities to enable a modernized defense industrial base that integrates traditional technology capabilities and emerging industrial sectors to respond at-will to national security requirements. Prior to this position, Dr. Schaaf served in various roles within the Department of Navy and her parent command, the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC), where she was Chief Scientist for the Advanced Manufacturing Systems Team of Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC). During her tenure, MCSC developed the first two Advanced Manufacturing programs of record within the Marine Corps and within the Department of War (DoW). Previous assignments include her appointment to the Naval Innovation Advisory Council, Office of Strategy and Innovation; and Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy Management, where she had the privilege of serving as an Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and accelerating technology adoption through prototyping and experimentation in Fleet Concentration Areas. Additionally, Dr. Schaaf served as the Director of the Joint Advanced Manufacturing Region Integrated Product Team established under the Chief of Naval Operations Additive Manufacturing Executive Committee Charter.

With over fifteen years of experience spanning government and academia, Dr. Schaaf has successfully managed multiple research and development efforts, developing strategies and programs aimed at maturation of advanced technologies and manufacturing processes to reduce risk and cost, while improving system producibility, readiness, and resiliency. She is an active participant in numerous DoW and industry-based advanced manufacturing forums. Dr. Schaaf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tulane University as well as both a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science from the University of California, San Diego where she was a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow.