BD & Capture Strategy · Program Management · Los Angeles
I identify gaps, build the thing that fills them, and bring people together around it. Most recently at THE BR-DGE / Disruptive Technology Index, supporting 47 aerospace and defense companies through government partnerships, capture strategy, and program execution.
Open to BD, capture strategy, proposal writing, and program management roles at space and defense companies in Southern California.
I'm a program manager and business development professional embedded in the SoCal space and defense ecosystem. At THE BR-DGE / Disruptive Technology Index, I managed programs for 47 high-growth aerospace and defense companies — building government pipelines, supporting capture strategy, and brokering teaming arrangements with Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and L3Harris.
My government relationships span DIU, Space Systems Command (SSC), and SpaceWERX — and I understand how defense acquisition actually works: OTA, SBIR, FAR-based procurement, and the relationships that move programs from opportunity to award.
Before DTI, I managed the RFP process at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, writing and coordinating proposals for public sector government clients. I hold a Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business and competed as an NCAA Division I athlete in cross country and track.
A selection of platforms, programs, and presentations built during my time in the space ecosystem. Each represents a real problem identified, a solution designed, and an outcome delivered.
A first-of-its-kind free marketplace connecting payload hosts with payload flight requests seeking launch opportunities that match their orbit, timeline, and budget. Built to solve a real visibility gap in the space ecosystem — too many payloads were missing launch windows because available rideshare slots went unfilled. Active listings from Reditus Space, Rogue Space Systems, General Galactic, and Exotrail among others.
Co-presented with Iddrisu Seidu · SpaceWERX
A technical educational webinar series co-developed and delivered with SpaceWERX, covering the fundamentals of rideshare launch for payload operators, smallsat companies, and defense-adjacent startups. Covered rideshare fundamentals, launch providers vs. payload hosts, orbit selection, integration requirements, mission lifecycle from pre-launch through deorbit, documentation requirements, and best practices for accelerating the path from payload to orbit.
THE BR-DGE · 2026
A program overview presentation for THE BR-DGE's Launchpad Session — a collaboration program that helps startups scale, commercialize, and transition new technology by bringing government, private capital, and innovators together. The session walked attendees through THE BR-DGE's mission to connect emerging technology companies with the knowledge, capital, and customer access they need to shorten timelines and turn prototypes into mission-ready products for the warfighter. Held at 777 S. Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, CA.
I didn't build these communities because I was passionate about a subject matter. I built them because I saw gaps and believed they should be filled — then secured corporate sponsorships to fund their growth.
A professional community for women in the aerospace and defense industry. Built from scratch after attending a Sally Ride tribute event and seeing the need for ongoing connection among women in the space ecosystem. Secured corporate sponsorships to fund operations and growth.
View Events ↗A running community built around deep tech founders in Los Angeles. Connecting the people building the next generation of hard technology — from defense AI to space systems to advanced manufacturing. Secured corporate sponsorships to sustain and scale.
I'm actively exploring BD, capture strategy, proposal writing, and program management roles at space and defense companies in Southern California. If you're building something that matters, I'd love to talk.
fionaderego@gmail.com