2025 AIAA CTO Summit

2–3 September 2025
The MITRE Corporation
7596 Colshire Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-7539

Designed for CTOs, Chief Engineers, and Chief Scientists to drive aerospace innovation.

The 2025 AIAA CTO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering designed to empower Chief Technology Officers, Chief Scientists, and senior technology leaders to tackle the aerospace industry’s most pressing challenges. Hosted at The MITRE Corporation, this reimagined Summit is expanded to include CTOs and Chief Scientists from related sectors, fostering cross-industry collaboration to drive transformative outcomes.

This is not just another conference—it’s a strategic opportunity to influence the future of aerospace. Over 1.5 days, you’ll engage in high-impact discussions, forge alliances with top minds from the Department of Defense, NASA, industry, and academia, and develop actionable recommendations to address critical issues.

Outcomes from the Summit will be shared with AIAA senior leadership and will inform AIAA strategy, products, and services. Perspectives shared by the attendees will help AIAA continue to provide valuable benefits to its Corporate Member stakeholders.

Facilitated by Oliver Wyman, this Summit ensures a focused, non-attributable environment where your expertise will shape industry-wide change.

Critical Discussion Topics

• Budget and funding uncertainties

• Innovative technologies, including AI

• Strategic global competition

• Supply chain and materials

• Workforce development

Why Attend

• Strategic Impact: Collaborate with peers to craft solutions for budget uncertainties, supply chain resilience, and disruptive technologies like AI, ensuring your organization stays ahead of the curve.

• Exclusive High-Profile Networking: Build relationships with AIAA Corporate Member CTOs, scientists, and engineers. Plus, join confirmed luminaries including David Denhard, Chief Scientist, U.S. Space Command; and Heidi Shyu, former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

• Data-Driven Insights: Leverage exclusive research, trends, and insights from Oliver Wyman to inform your strategy.

• Actionable Outcomes: Leave with recommendations and a clear roadmap to implement change, directly benefiting your organization and the aerospace ecosystem.

• Corporate Member Benefit: As an AIAA Corporate Member, your participation is a privileged opportunity to maximize the value of your membership.

Summit Agenda*
*The agenda is subject to change.

Tuesday, 2 September

3:30–4:15 p.m. | Arrival and Welcome

• Welcome and Opening Remarks:

  • Keoki Jackson, Senior Vice President, MITRE National Security; AIAA President-Elect

  • Dan Hastings, AIAA President; Cecil and Ida Green Education Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT

• Setting the Stage: Facilitators from Oliver Wyman outline the Summit objectives—solving real-world challenges, accelerating innovation, and shaping the future of aerospace.

• Strategic Framing: Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO, highlights the Summit's importance to the broader aerospace enterprise.

4:15–4:45 p.m. | Reflections and Forward Vision

• Reflect on key takeaways from the 2022 Summit.

• Define the 2025 Summit's challenge and aspirational outcomes for 2026 and beyond.

5:15–6 p.m. | Challenge Introduction and Facilitated Networking

• Oliver Wyman shares data-driven insights and industry trends shaping the Summit theme.

• Review the agenda, expected deliverables, and how outputs will inform AIAA and industry priorities.

• Lightly structured interaction designed to build trust and encourage cross-sector exchange.

6–8 p.m. | Reception, Dinner, and Networking

• Networking reception and dinner at the Archer Hotel with a focus on deepening connections and fostering collaboration.

Wednesday, 3 September

8–8:45 a.m. | Innovation Warm-Up

• Fast-paced activity to spark creative thinking and set an energized tone for the day.

8:45–9:15 a.m. | Welcome to Day Two

• Facilitators outline the day’s workflows and collaborative expectations.

9:15–10 a.m. | Data, Trends, and Analysis

• Briefing on key data, research, and trends to inform solution development.

10:15–10:45 a.m. | The Role of the Future CTO

• Groups will predict the key opportunities and challenges facing the role and industry.

10:45 a.m.–12 p.m. | Collaborative Work Session

• Groups draft actionable, innovative solutions with facilitator guidance.

12–1:45 p.m. | Executive Networking Lunch

• Engage directly with leaders. Presentation by Heidi Shyu, former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

1:45–2:30 p.m. | Cross-Group Review and Iteration

• Teams share work, receive feedback, and refine recommendations.

2:30–3 p.m. | Prioritization and Finalization

• Final alignment on 3–5 actionable recommendations.

• Begin crafting narrative and identifying implementation pathways.

3:15–4:15 p.m. | Group Presentations and Alignment

• Create alignment and agreement across teams on key recommendations.

4:15–4:45 p.m. | Summit Reflection and Story Crafting

• Individual and team reflection on takeaways.

• Prepare key messages to bring back to home organizations.

4:45–5 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Next Steps

• Final remarks from AIAA leadership and discussion of post-Summit support and accountability.

Logistical Information

• Venue: The MITRE Corporation, 7596 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102-7539

• Attire: Business casual

• Hotel: Archer Hotel Tysons Corner (closest to the venue). Book directly at their website.

• Travel/Parking:

  • Free parking at MITRE’s Building 4 (7 a.m.–6 p.m.).

  • For Tuesday’s dinner, park at the Archer Hotel to avoid moving your vehicle.

  • Driving and metro details available here.