Tabitha Kinchen

Background

About Tabitha Kinchen

Tabitha is a distinguished leader in defense innovation, currently serving as the Government Relations Manager at Strider. With over a decade of experience in the Department of Defense and government organizations, Tabitha has consistently demonstrated strategic insight, operational excellence, and a commitment to fostering innovation. In her current role, Tabitha oversees the establishment and maintenance of relationships with government agencies at all levels—federal, state, and local. She plays a pivotal role in navigating procurement processes and ensuring that contractual obligations meet expectations for new systems, software, or services. Previously, Tabitha held key positions such as Senior Energy Analyst for the Energy Portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where she drove the development and implementation of policies and strategic frameworks to enhance operational efficiency. She also served as a Senior Correspondence Editor at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), ensuring adherence to Department of Defense standards in official communications. Her career at DIU included roles as Acting Chief of Staff and Management Analyst, providing essential managerial and administrative support. Tabitha led studies to optimize operational efficiency and align DIU initiatives with strategic goals and congressional directives. Before her tenure at DIU, Tabitha excelled as a Contract Specialist and Lead Litigation Support Specialist at JAB Innovative Solution LLC, managing contract closures totaling over $20M and expediting legal proceedings. Tabitha holds a Master of Science in Communication (Strategic and Interpersonal) from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (Forensic Psychology), and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University. Committed to community service, she volunteers with organizations such as Fort Belvoir USO and Army Community Services, supporting military personnel and their families. With her extensive background in government relations, defense innovation, and a passion for service, Tabitha continues to drive transformative change within the defense sector and beyond in her role at Strider.