Draper has appointed Brandi Vann, most recently principal director of strategic implementation and planning, as vice president and chief strategy officer, effective March 7.
In her new role, Vann will oversee Draper’s annual strategy and business planning process, coordinate legislative engagements, manage business intelligence functions, lead the company’s New Business Council and support the DraperSPARX program, the company said Thursday.
What Did Draper CEO Jerry Wohletz Say About Vann’s Appointment?
Vann will report to Draper President and CEO Jerry Wohletz as part of the company’s executive leadership team.
Wohletz cited Vann’s experience working with national security customers and addressing technical and programmatic challenges.
“Her insights and experience will help shape our business and technical strategy to better meet the needs of these customers,” he said of Vann.
Who Is Brandi Vann?
Vann is a national security professional who joined Draper in 2025 as principal director of strategic implementation and planning. In that capacity, she worked with the company’s four business units and engineering teams to align operations with Draper’s vision and strategy.
Before joining Draper, Vann served in several senior roles at the Department of War, including performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for nuclear deterrence and chemical and biological defense policy and programs; principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs; and deputy assistant secretary of defense for chemical and biological defense.
She also held positions at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and served as a visiting scientist at the FBI and as director of laboratories at Nephron Pharmaceuticals.
In 2023, Vann received the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in recognition of her career contributions and support for DOW’s biodefense national security mission.
She holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of South Carolina.
What Kind of Company Is Draper?
Draper is a nonprofit research, development and manufacturing company with more than 2,500 employees.
The company meets customers’ requirements by delivering mission-driven platforms across four mission areas: strategic, space, electronic and biotechnology systems.
Draper has won a spot on the Department of War’s potential 10-year, $25.4 billion Advanced Technology Support Program V contract for engineering development support services.
