Steve Irwin is a seasoned leader in aerospace, defense, and government-driven sectors, recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership and strategic expertise. As a founder and former CEO of Avascent, a premier management consulting firm specializing in these industries, Steve guided the company to become a trusted advisor to major defense contractors, systems integrators, private equity investors, and government clients. Under his leadership, Avascent more than tripled in size and launched innovative services such as Avascent Analytics, a platform delivering actionable data-driven insights into global defense and security markets. He also championed the firm’s international growth, which included opening offices in Paris, London, Ottawa, and Tokyo. In 2022, Steve successfully led Avascent’s acquisition by Oliver Wyman, where he briefly served as a partner in the Aerospace, Defense, and Government practice.

Steve’s connection to the Stimson Center spans more than three decades, beginning as a research associate on a MacArthur Foundation-funded task force studying the economic impacts of defense spending reductions. His work culminated in the publication of Technology Policy and America’s Future, which examined the intersection of national security and economic growth through technological innovation. Earlier in his career, Steve held government roles focused on NATO force realignments, international arms control, and U.S.-Japanese defense cooperation.

Steve holds degrees from Stanford University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he specialized in security studies and economics.

In his role at the Stimson Center, Steve draws on his extensive private-sector and management experience to support the organization’s leadership as it tackles critical international security challenges.

Steve’s lifelong interest in computers and artificial intelligence reflects his enduring curiosity for innovation, a value that drives both his professional contributions and personal pursuits. A resident of Washington, D.C., and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Steve is an avid boater and international traveler, passionate about experiencing diverse cultures and environments.