Kea Matory is the Director of Legislative Policy at the National Defense Industrial Association. Kea oversees NDIA’s engagements with congressional committees and personal offices, the Defense Department, and the defense industry to advocate and educate for the development and support of policies for the safety and security of our nation.  Kea works closely with NDIA’s Small Business Division and congressional Small Business Committees’ on issues impacting small businesses in the defense sector. Her work with congressional offices established the Defense Workforce Innovation and Industry Caucus.

Kea joined NDIA after serving as the legislative affairs officer for Headquarters Marine Corps’ Marine and Family Programs Division. In this role, she led congressional testimony for the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, responded to inquiries from Congress on some of the Corps’ most pressing issues, and briefed allied nations on relevant Marine Corps programs. Kea created and hosted the division’s quarterly Veteran Service Organization (VSO) roundtable with participation from all military branches and leadership from multiple national VSOs, focusing on subjects impacting service members’ readiness.

In the civilian sector, Kea was the director of a woman-owned, small-business government consulting firm; an attorney providing legal advice to service members; and at a national VSO, securing Veterans Affairs and Defense Department benefits for injured veterans and service members. 

Kea established a new volunteer program for Marines in the National Capital Area, serving as the Marine Corps representative for the Joint Services Volunteer Committee of Metro D.C. and trained commands on family readiness.

Before attending Howard University School of Law, Kea worked for ABC Network News on the news desk and as an associate producer.