Ms. Star Hardison serves as the Cyber Workforce Governance Division Director within the Department of War Chief Information Office. In this role, she provides executive leadership across the foundational pillars of cyber talent management. Her portfolio includes the strategic integration of budget, policy, legislative affairs, and the Cyber Service Academy. She drives the strategic planning and communications, ensuring a cohesive and forward-looking approach to building and governing the nation's cyber workforce.
Building upon a 26-year career of dedicated service in the United States Navy, Ms. Hardison continues to serve the nation as a civilian leader. Having retired as a Captain, her military leadership assignments took her across the globe,
from the desert heat of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti where she served as the Deputy Manpower and Personnel Officer (J1), to the icy expanse of McMurdo Station, Antarctica as the Public Affairs Officer. Her key roles provided a deep foundation in military manpower and personnel strategy, including serving as the Information Technology Workforce Policy Lead for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N6), a Manpower Requirements Officer for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower and Personnel (OPNAV N1), Executive Officer of the Navy Manpower Analysis Center, and Deputy Director of the 21st Century Sailor Office, where she helped lead the Navy’s holistic programs for sailor and family readiness, safety, and resilience.
Ms. Hardison began her military service after being commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at Villanova University, where she was a Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Graduate and the first African American commissioned via the program. Her distinguished service is marked by numerous personal awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).
Ms. Hardison earned a Master of Science in National Security from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, where she also completed her Joint Professional Military Education Phase II. Her academic credentials also include a Master of Science in Management from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Health and Wellness Coaching from the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Villanova University. Her education is complemented by the completion of numerous military schools and training programs.
Ms. Hardison is a dedicated community leader, serving on the board of Valor Run to honor post-9/11 servicewomen and volunteering as a trauma-informed yoga instructor for the Veterans Yoga Project. A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, she is married with a blended family of five grown children.