Ms. Kate Mangum is the Director of CCDC IndoPacific’s International Technology Centers. Based in Tokyo, Japan, she is responsible for a team that searches out and funds cutting edge research in academia, as well as collaborating with foreign industry and government to facilitate agreements with CCDC’s labs and centers.   

Before this role, Ms. Mangum was the Director of the Global Technology Office at CCDC HQ. Her team managed CCDC’s global personnel, strategy and development / testing programs to include Coalition Warfare Program, Engineer Scientist Exchange Program, Field Assistance in Science & Technology, Foreign Comparative Testing, Foreign Technology Assessment Support, and International Agreement efforts. 

Prior to CCDC, Ms. Mangum was the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) Science Advisor to the Commanding General (CG) of III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) in Okinawa, Japan. She developed and evaluated the III MEF portfolio of science and technology capability gaps; advocating for solutions with the requirements, technology, and material developer communities; and maintaining visibility of new and evolving technology for the CG and staff. She collaborated with foreign governments and research organizations in order to leverage their investments, and was responsible for integrating prototypes into multiple annual III MEF exercises.

Preceding this assignment, Ms. Mangum was the ONRG Science Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Executive Panel (CEP), serving on the personal staff of the CNO. The CEP is comprised of eminent authorities in the fields of science, engineering, business and political-military affairs who offer peer advice on issues of importance to the CNO. Ms. Mangum led studies on disruptive technology, personnel policy, and resource sponsorship.  

Prior to the CEP, Ms. Mangum was an ONR Program Officer for Future Naval Capability (FNC) programs. Ms. Mangum was responsible for an $80M portfolio to advance cutting edge research. Ms. Mangum started her career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD). Through an advanced rotational program, she gained experience in several NSWCCD divisions as well as at NSWC Panama City and the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Primary projects included advanced submarine concept design, mine hunting vehicle / tow cable analysis, and RIMPAC war game support. After the program, she continued work at NSWCCD in hydrodynamics and towed systems test and evaluation. Ms. Mangum holds a Mechanical Engineering BS from The Johns Hopkins University and a Systems Engineering MS from the Naval Postgraduate School. She was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2012 & 2015) and the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2018).