VANDERBILT University Institute of National Security within the VU School of Engineering has named Trish Puttmann its director of innovation -- a fact we offer as yet another signal of continued momentum within an organization that clearly aims to earn influence in national and global arenas. 

On April 16, Puttmann joined Institute staff, which is led by INS Founding Director and retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone and Executive Director Douglas Adams PhD., and staffed by a growing team, including Brett Goldstein, who is also a special advisor to VU Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. 

Nakasone served 2018-2024 as director of the National Security Agency and as Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, both based at Fort George G. Meade, in Maryland.

Puttmann was previously chief of staff for the Directorate of Operations of U.S. Cyber Command (J3), in which she served more than 11 years. More on her background later in this story.

First, let's note that VU's Institute of National Security's operations span four pillars of service -- education, innovation, convening, advising -- through which it says it aims to pair Vanderbilt’s academic strength "with real-world partnerships to deliver practical training, collaborative research, and mentorship. This work reflects a culture of service and a commitment to producing leaders ready to meet the nation’s toughest challenges."

Yesterday, the Institute concluded its fifth annual Asness Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats here in Nashville, with the overall event said to have drawn more than 1,000 attendees.

For future reference, keep in mind that each Summit in the series has been preceded by workshops, education samplers, lectures, etc., designed for faculty, students and-or executives.

Gen. Dan Caine

Viewing the Summit against the global geopolitical backdrop, it's important to highlight the fact that on the first day of the Summit General Dan Caine, 22nd Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, arrived in person to participate in a fireside chat with the Chancellor, rather than being forced by crisis to join webinar-style or cancel altogether. (Vanderbilt's white-knuckle confidence was redeemed.) 

Currently, gavel-to-gavel replay of the entire Summit is available via YouTube: Day 1 here (8h:25). Day 2 here (6h:14). Also recommended for tracking Institute comments and analyses: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Last September, the Institute received an injection of funding in the form of a $10MM grant from Vanderbilt parents Laurel and Cliff Asness.

More recently, the Institute announced research and development within its Wicked Problems Lab portfolio was underway in the form of a $2.5MM grant from the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation. Among other pursuits, The Lab is developing the Synthetic Information Filtering Testbed (SIFT), described as "a first-of-its-kind research initiative designed to strengthen democratic resilience against AI-powered influence operations."

Prior to her civilian roles at Cyber Command, Puttman served as an international affairs analyst within McLean, Va.-based Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH), assigned as an international affairs analyst in support of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

She earned her Master of Arts (MA, War Studies) at King's College London in 2012. In 2010, she completed her bachelor's at The George Washington University, with focus on international relations and affairs (cum laude), according to her LinkedIn profile.

The Institute's charter and mission are in-line with the VU School of Engineering's very readable 10-year Strategic Plan (2025-2035). More color on the Institute's formation.

General Nakasone and others expressed confidence the Summit can continue growing in terms of both attendees and influence, with Nakasone at one point offering, with only the slightest humor, that "Nashville" as home for the Summit might one day rival such iconic cities as Davos (for the World Economic Forum) or Munich (where last year Nakasone participated in a cybersecurity forum). 

Plans for Asness Summit VI have already been greenlighted for April 2026 and there's a strong sense that this year's downtown venue -- The Pinnacle -- may have earned another booking. VNC

. last edited 26 April 2026 0749