Ms. Patti Benner is currently the Director of Strategic Integration and Outreach in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Network and Information Integration/Department of Defense Chief Information Officer where she is responsible for Strategic Communications.   The communications mission is to develop, synchronize, discipline and convey strategic context, themes and messages to internal and external audiences to ensure the NetCentric information sharing vision is clearly understood and supported.

Over a career that spans three decades, Ms.Benner has been involved in a wide range of efforts within the defense and national security arena.   Her experience includes positions in both industry and government.  Ms. Benner’s expertise is in national security strategy, reform, and change management.  She has frequently created and implemented strategic communication and outreach initiatives in support of special studies and headquarters organizations.

Ms. Benner has led and participated in numerous efforts to redesign and redirect the national security system to meet the needs of the post Cold War world and address the challenges of the 21st century.   In each case, Ms. Benner led both technical analysis and strategic communication activities.  Ms. Benner served on national security studies including the 1993 Bottom Up Review (BUR), the 1995 Commission on Roles and Missions (CORM), the 1997 National Defense Panel (NDP), and the recent US Commission for Nation Security/21st Century (Hart/Rudman Commission). Ms. Benner also led the Army's QDR Communications Cell in support of the Congressionally mandated 2001 review and served as the Director of Strategic Communications for the US Army headquarters   Most recently, Ms. Benner co-led the Knowledge and Intellectual Capital Team of the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR).

Ms. Benner holds Masters degrees in national security from both Georgetown University and the National War College.   In 1996 Ms. Benner received the National War College Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs Award for Excellence in Writing.   In 1995 and 1998 she was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service.