Ashley Manning is the Vice President for Corporate Strategy at Packet Forensics LLC, where she leads strategic growth and advises on national security and technology developments. Packet Forensics delivers comprehensive solutions to government and enterprise customers in the form of mission-ready operational capabilities. She previously served for over 20 years in the US Department of Defense, most recently as Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, overseeing cyber policy, operations, and more than $7 billion in investments. She held multiple other senior roles within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, including Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Principal Director for the Middle East and for Plans and Posture.

Ms. Manning served as an exchange officer at the UK Ministry of Defence as the Deputy Head of Strategy, contributing to the UK’s 2020 Integrated Review, and she also completed a legislative fellowship in the office of US Representative Michael McCaul. Earlier in her career, she held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force supporting security cooperation across Northeast and South Asia.

During her time in government, she has received several awards, including the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award, and the UK Vice Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. Ms. Manning holds a B.A. in Political Science and Chinese from Villanova University and an M.A. in Security Studies from The George Washington University.