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Chandra Donelson
Ms. Chandra Donelson serves as the Space Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer for the United States Space Force at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. In this role, she develops and implements strategies for enterprise data management, analytics, digital transformation, and responsible AI. Her efforts are focused on optimizing performance and driving innovation across all missions and operations across the Space Force, ensuring that data and AI technologies are effectively leveraged to enhance mission success.
From March 2023 to October 2024, Ms. Donelson performed the duties of Chief Data and AI Officer, for the Department of the Air Force, responsible for overseeing the strategic implementation of data and AI initiatives across both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force for approximately 700,000 personnel.
Ms. Donelson is a recognized subject matter expert in digital transformation, capability development, and operationalizing data and AI capabilities at scale across the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Prior to her current government service, Ms. Donelson served as the Army Intelligence Community (IC) Deputy Chief Data Officer (CDO) for the Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA), Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) from 2021-2023, Pentagon, Arlington, VA. Ms. Donelson also served as the Army OSINT Data Manager for the HQDA G-2 from 2017-2021.
Before moving into technology, Ms. Donelson founded a bridal store in Texas and enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves. She continues to serve as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Air Combat Command (ACC) A/29, where she plays a vital role in strategic leadership and operational oversight. Prior to working at ACC, Ms. Donelson served as the Data and AI Officer for CENTCOM J2, the Non- Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) at the 913th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) and started her career as an intelligence specialist at the 927th Fighter Support Squadron (FSS).
Ms. Donelson earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management from Texas A&M University – Texarkana, a Master in Information Technology (IT) from Texas A&M University – Texarkana, and a Master in Data Science and Analytics in High-Performance Computing from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
She is a native of Arkansas and currently resides in the National Capital Region (NCR) with her son.
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