Influential Woman · AI and Defense Technology
Jennifer Hager
CBSE
AI and Defense Technology and Operations, Private Company
Boston, MA 02116
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Hager is a Boston-based infrastructure and defense professional with more than 20 years of experience specializing in artificial intelligence, defense technology, complex adaptive systems, critical infrastructure, energy, and non-renewable resources. Her multidisciplinary background combines technical expertise with strategic insight, allowing her to approach complex challenges through the lens of interconnected systems, emerging technologies, and operational resilience. She earned a degree in Chemical Engineering with minors in History and Mathematics from Syracuse University in 2003 and holds professional certifications, including CBSE in Certified Defense Security, along with additional national security and defense credentials.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has worked at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and defense, bringing a unique perspective shaped by her experience in complex adaptive systems and hospitality operations. In her current role, she focuses on critical infrastructure initiatives, including projects involving the Middle East, while exploring the application of artificial intelligence to improve data analysis, decision-making, and connections between systems. She is passionate about leveraging innovation to address evolving challenges and believes that the future of infrastructure and defense depends on effectively transforming data into actionable knowledge.
Beyond her professional work, Jennifer is deeply committed to supporting the arts and enhancing urban communities. She serves as a board member of Boston Ballet and contributes to initiatives through Friends of the Public Garden. She attributes her success to her ability to recognize patterns, understand relationships, and view challenges from alternative perspectives. Guided by principles of integrity, accountability, transparency, and respect for diverse viewpoints, Jennifer believes every individual brings valuable insight and that meaningful progress comes from collaboration and thoughtful innovation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to thinking in terms of systems. I tend to look beyond an isolated event or immediate problem to understand the relationships, incentives, and consequences surrounding it. This helps me recognize patterns, anticipate downstream effects, and identify practical opportunities that may not be immediately apparent. I try to make decisions with an awareness of the wider context, because meaningful and lasting results depend on understanding how the different parts of a system affect one another.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is simple: if something is worth doing, take the responsibility to do it well. That also means being honest when something goes wrong. Mistakes are inevitable; what matters is recognizing them, taking responsibility, correcting what you can, and applying what you learned. Over time, that combination of care and accountability is what builds trust.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to never be discouraged by careers or fields that have traditionally been viewed as male-dominated. Women bring unique perspectives, valuable insights, and strengths that are essential to innovation and progress. Embrace what makes you different, recognize that challenges and expectations may vary, and use those experiences as opportunities to grow and excel. There is always an advantage to be found, and confidence in your abilities can become one of your greatest strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The central challenge—and opportunity—is not a lack of data or technology, but our ability to use them well. Infrastructure and defense organizations now have access to extraordinary analytical capabilities, yet more information does not automatically produce better decisions. The difficult work is determining what matters, placing it in the right context, and translating it into knowledge that leaders can act on. Organizations that bridge that gap will be better equipped to build systems that are more resilient, adaptable, and responsive to real-world conditions.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
<blockquote>Integrity, honesty, and respect are central to both my work and personal life. For me, integrity means being truthful about what I know, what I do not know, and the consequences of a decision—even when doing so is inconvenient. I also value different perspectives, particularly when they challenge my assumptions or reveal something I may have missed. Strong relationships and effective collaboration depend on people communicating candidly, listening carefully, and treating one another’s experience as valuable.</blockquote>
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