On September 11, 2025, Metro State University played a prominent role in the Creative Defense Foundation (CDF) Fall Retreat, a two-day national conference convening senior defense leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to advance America’s defense innovation ecosystem and strengthen critical partnerships for the future of national security.
Dr. Faisal Kaleem, Vice Chair of the Board of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem (MN-NS-ECO) and Director and Professor of Cybersecurity Programs at Metro State University, was invited to deliver remarks in recognition of Congresswoman Betty McCollum, who received the CDF Visionary Award.
“Congresswoman McCollum has elevated Minnesota onto the national stage, transformed the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem into a national model of collaboration, and enabled Metro State to launch the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)—bringing real-world defense projects that expose students and faculty to cutting-edge challenges, while strengthening our Cyber programs,” said Dr. Kaleem.
Distinguished Delegation
The retreat featured an extraordinary delegation of national and international leaders, including Congressman Ken Calvert (Chair, Defense Appropriations Committee), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (Ranking Member, Defense Appropriations Committee), Congressman Brad Finstad (Subcommittee on Cyber, IT, and Innovation), Congressman David Valadao (Subcommittee on Defense), Congressman Ed Case (Defense Appropriations Committee), Congressman Pete Stauber (House Committee on Small Business), Her Excellency Birgitta Tazelaar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States, The Honorable Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, and Admiral (Ret.) John Richardson, 31st Chief of Naval Operations.
Federal Agencies and Industry Leaders
Key agencies represented included the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the United States Space Force (USSF), the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Budget), and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
Industry participation reflected both scale and innovation, with representation from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, and AeroVironment Inc. Specialized technology firms included LeoLabs, XTEND, CenCore, North Wind, Exiger, and Hadrian, while emerging innovators such as Ursa Major, Hermeus, Vannevar Labs, TurbineOne, Modern Intelligence, Overland AI, and Second Front also played a key role.
Technology Highlights
Participants were able to view leading-edge defense technologies, including captured Russian Shahed UAVs, a Ukrainian drone flight simulator, drones manufactured by XTEND, and a mobile Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) from CenCore.
Minnesota’s Growing National Role
Metro State’s leadership at the retreat underscored Minnesota’s growing importance in national security innovation. Through the Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) and its cybersecurity programs, the university provides students and faculty with direct exposure to Department of Defense projects, strengthening both education and workforce pipelines.
“This event underscored the importance of policy, innovation, and industry working together,” Dr. Kaleem said. “With leaders like Congresswoman McCollum at the helm, Minnesota doesn’t just defend the nation—Minnesota is defining the future of America’s national security.”