Beyond Strategy: Shana Cosgrove, Founder & CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions

In this episode of Beyond Strategy, we sit down with Shana Cosgrove, the visionary Founder and CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions—an award-winning federal contractor specializing AI engineering, data science, and software development for the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of War.

With over 85% of Nyla’s team holding Top Secret security clearances, Shana has built a company uniquely equipped to tackle some of the nation’s most complex and classified missions. Recognized as an Inc. 5000 honoree and a 2025 ACG Growth Award winner for best emerging growth company, Nyla’s success reflects a powerful combination of mission focus, technical innovation, and cultural differentiation.

In this episode, Shana shares:

• The leadership philosophy that has guided her from startup founder to CEO in the high-stakes world of defense technology
• Her decision to launch Nyla after early career aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder
• How she built a company that thrives in the unique demands of the Intelligence Community
• How Nyla is leveraging its expertise in AI, cloud, and data to solve the government’s most urgent technology challenges
• Insights into talent acquisition and retention in a highly specialized, security-cleared market

Shana also opens up about the personal side of leadership—what keeps her up at night, how she balances mission and life, and the lesson she believes every entrepreneur should learn.

If you’re an aspiring founder, defense tech leader, or advocate for diversity in national security, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the boldest and most thoughtful voices in the federal contracting space.