David Schiff is a Department of Defense leader, innovator, and collaborator responsible for spearheading innovation efforts for the Department of the Navy. Inspired by the desire to serve his country, he joined the Navy directly out of college after hearing General Colin Powell speak at his university. Upon graduating from Naval Officer Training, he served a division officer on the USS Kitty Hawk and the Ohio class submarine USS Nebraska before joining the DOD as a civilian in 2009.
In 2019, David was hand-picked to help launch and lead NavalX, the Navy’s workforce “super-connector” innovation cell, focused on scaling non-traditional agility methods across the Navy and Marine Corps. During his tenure as the Deputy Director and Director of Strategic Engagements, he has helped build coalitions and advance innovation programs and training across the Department of Navy, Department of Defense, and broader federal government. Recent initiatives include creating experimental lines of effort to facilitate human-centered design workshops, kick-starting a Federal Innovator’s monthly salon, and establishing the NavalX-branded speakers series, Seaside Chats, which hosts leaders from throughout the defense, commercial, and academic workforce and leadership. David has connected thousands of Naval personnel, military and civilian, with leaders and other valuable members of industry, academic, and federal workforces.
He holds an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business and Bachelor’s of Arts in Spanish and English from Vanderbilt University where he graduated Magna cum laude. He has also completed executive education programs focused on leadership and human-centered design at Duke University, University of Virginia, Cornell University, IDEO, Luma, ThinkWrong, & Lean Startup. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his family.
