Department of War’s Bradley Hansell Wins 2026 Wash100 Award for Advancing Defense Intelligence
Executive Mosaic is pleased to recognize Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security Bradley Hansell as a 2026 Wash100 Award winner for his impactful leadership and contributions to defense and intelligence.
The Wash100 Award, presented annually by Executive Mosaic, honors the most influential leaders in government and government contracting who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and measurable impact. The award celebrates executives and officials advancing defense, technology and federal services, shaping the future of the GovCon sector.
Voting is open for the 2026 Wash100 Award! Show your support for Bradley Hansell and other top leaders shaping the GovCon community at Wash100.com today.
“We’re delighted to honor Under Secretary Hansell with his first Wash100 Award. He brings to the Pentagon a long record of success in GovCon, including as associate director and principal with the Boston Consulting group, where he helped lead the public sector and aerospace and defense practices,” said Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic.
“Throughout his military service, Under Secretary Hansell demonstrated a consistent record of excellence through his Army special forces officer and Navy surface warfare officer service. Under Secretary Hansell is also a valued adviser to President Trump, having previously served as a special assistant and senior director on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term. We can’t wait to see what Under Secretary Hansell has in store for 2026,” the Wash100 Award founder continued.
Who Is Bradley Hansell?
Hansell serves as the under secretary of war for intelligence and security, or USW(I&S), acting as the principal adviser to the secretary of war on intelligence, counterintelligence and security matters. Sworn into the role in July 2025, he exercises authority over all intelligence and security organizations within the Department of War, including components of the intelligence community. He also serves as the director of defense intelligence, in which capacity he advises the director of national intelligence.
He brings a blend of public- and private-sector experience to the position. Prior to his appointment, Hansell served as an operating partner at Windage Partners and as a venture partner at Outlander VC. He also held a key government role as a special assistant to the president and senior director on the National Security Council staff during the Trump administration.
Hansell was a principal and consultant at Boston Consulting Group, where he supported public sector and defense clients. While at BCG, he was nominated in 2020 for a senior intelligence role at the Department of War, but remained with the firm after the Senate did not bring his nomination to a floor vote before the presidential election.
A retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, Hansell commanded teams in South America and Afghanistan after beginning his military career as a Navy surface warfare officer. His military service earned him distinctions including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.
Why Is Bradley Hansell Winning the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Hansell earns his first Wash100 Award in recognition of his leadership in helping shape the Department of War’s intelligence and security strategy since his appointment as USW(I&S).
Since his confirmation, Hansell has focused on the commitments he outlined before the Senate Armed Services Committee, including the need to effectively manage the defense and security enterprise and ensure that defense intelligence capabilities are aligned with warfighter needs to support military operations and decision-making while maintaining safeguards for privacy and civil liberties.
“Enhancing our irregular warfare capabilities will allow us to provide risk-informed options to better compete short of armed conflict and re-establish deterrence. I believe offensive cyber capabilities and an increased focus on defense [human intelligence] are areas for opportunity,” Hansell told the Senate panel.
He oversees the Defense Intelligence and Security Enterprise, providing policy guidance and oversight for major agencies, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency/Central Security Service, National Reconnaissance Office and Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. With workforce readiness a top priority, Hansell helps ensure that these organizations are properly staffed, trained and equipped to meet military and national intelligence priorities, while also making certain that counterintelligence and security activities safeguard the DOW’s information, personnel and capabilities.
Hansell is also pushing for strengthened integration with the broader national intelligence community to align DOW intelligence with national priorities, while working to eliminate duplication and enhance joint operations. He also leads security policy implementation across the department—including physical, personnel and industrial security, and protection of classified information—ensuring frameworks remain adaptive to evolving threats.
Additionally, Hansell supports DOW and interagency partners by delivering timely, operationally relevant intelligence and maintaining strong relationships with combatant commands and key offices to align intelligence and security with operational needs.
What Is the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security?
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, or USD(I&S), is a senior leadership office within the War Department that oversees the department’s intelligence, counterintelligence and security programs and policies. It provides strategic direction, policy guidance and oversight for defense intelligence and security activities across the DOW and its various components, intelligence, counterintelligence, security, sensitive activities, and other intelligence‑related matters.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Bradley Hansell on earning a 2026 Wash100 Award.
Be sure to show your support for Hansell. Visit Wash100.com and cast your vote for him in the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote competition.