ODNI highlights from 2021
- The Honorable Avril Haines was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2021 as the seventh Senate-confirmed DNI and the first woman to lead the Intelligence Community.
- In addition to DNI Haines, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Stacey Dixon, National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid, Inspector General Thomas Monheim, and General Counsel Christopher Fonzone were confirmed by the Senate.
- We worked to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, promote innovation in our work, foster public and private partnerships with the IC, and promote strategic foresight within national security.
Keep scrolling to check out the top ten stories, videos, and photos from ODNI as we wrap up 2021:
1) DNI Haines Visits Florida International University
DNI Haines made her first visit to a college campus as DNI in September. During the trip, she interacted with students and shared her perspective on what makes the Intelligence Community a great place to work.
2) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Intelligence Community
DNI Haines appeared before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Oct. 27 and testified about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Intelligence Community.
The DNI remarked that while — there is much work to be done — the Intelligence Community has made strides towards a diverse and inclusive workforce.
3) IARPA drives new tech and science capabilities
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity used cutting-edge technology to develop new approaches to take high-definition-like pictures of geosynchronous satellites from the ground.
4) Intelligence Community Named a “Best Place to Work” For 12th Consecutive Year
For the 12th consecutive year, the Intelligence Community was named as one of the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.” The IC ranked second overall among large federal agencies with more than 15,000 full-time permanent employees.
5) Intelligence Community shares a wide range of reports with the public
In coordination with the Executive and Legislative branches, ODNI released a variety of reports, including COVID-19 origins, unidentified aerial phenomena, and climate change.
6) Dr. Stacey Dixon visits St. Louis to focus on partnerships and opportunities
Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Stacey Dixon visited St. Louis on Oct. 6 and spoke with students and industry partners about opportunities within the Intelligence Community.
7) National Intelligence University joins ODNI and serves as a hub for intelligence and national security studies
In June, the National Intelligence University became a part of ODNI and now serves as the leading institution for intelligence education, in-depth research, and interagency engagement for the Intelligence Community.
8) Pride in Partnership: ODNI raises Pride Flag
In June, ODNI celebrated Pride Month with the theme, “Pride in Partnership.” This year, ODNI raised the Pride flag outside its building — one of a handful of government organizations to do so in 2021.
9) DNI Haines Provides Opening Statement on the 2021 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community
“Broadly speaking, the Intelligence Community is focused on traditional categories of issues we have been discussing for years: adversaries and competitors, critical transnational threats, and conflicts and instability. The trends underlying and intersecting these issues are increasing the pace, complexity, and impact of these threats in ways that require us to evolve.” — DNI Haines
10) Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World
Published every four years since 1997, the Global Trends report assesses the key trends and uncertainties that will shape the strategic environment for the U.S. during the next two decades. Read the seventh edition released in April to gain insight into what may lie on the horizon.
