Elizabeth Kolmstetter
Elizabeth B. Kolmstetter, PhD
Dr. Elizabeth Kolmstetter is an accomplished Industrial-Organizational Psychologist and senior federal executive whose career has spanned some of the most mission-critical areas of U.S. government service, including law enforcement, national security and public safety. She began her federal career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the agency’s first I-O Psychologist, where she designed and led the Special Agent Selection System, modernized the Special Agent Supervisor promotion program, and validated selection methods for specialized units such as SWAT and the Hostage Rescue Team.
Following 9/11, she became a founding human capital leader at the Transportation Security Administration, where she designed and implemented the largest civilian hiring effort in U.S. history and built national workforce systems that shaped modern aviation security operations. She later held senior leadership roles within the Intelligence Community at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency, advancing enterprise talent management, leadership development, and cross-agency collaboration and workforce reform. She also served as NASA’s Deputy for Culture and Workforce Transformation with responsibility for engagement, leadership, digital workforce strategy, and future-of-work initiatives. Most recently, as the first Chief People Officer at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, she pioneered a new human-centered model focused on engagement, leadership, communications, and strategic talent management, driving record employee engagement levels and significant improvements in hiring and retention for the nation’s cyber defense workforce.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kolmstetter has been recognized for her expertise in organizational psychology, strategic communications, leadership development, and human capital innovation—strengthening workforce performance, mission readiness and public safety outcomes. A Fellow of the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology, the National Academy of Public Administration, and The Conference Board, Dr. Kolmstetter has been honored with numerous national awards, including the Presidential Rank Award, the National Intelligence Superior Service Medal, NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the M. Scott Myers Award for Best Applied Research. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Virginia Tech, an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Hollins University, and a B.A. in Psychology and Computer Science from Hollins University.
Today, Dr. Kolmstetter serves as an advisor, speaker, educator, executive coach, and thought leader, helping organizations modernize hiring and selection systems, build evidence-based talent strategies, develop leaders, and create collaborative, human-centered, and purpose-driven cultures. She and husband, Michael, are the proud parents of adult twin children: Miles and Nicole. They enjoy spending time hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains, traveling and visiting with family and friends.