Join the Nunn School and Distinguished Professor of the Practice Will Roper in a discussion on the impacts emerging technologies are having on the Ukrainian frontlines. Roper is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of technology startup Istari Digital. Backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Istari is building the world’s first engineering metaverse, where all technology — from medicines to satellites — can be created and certified completely digitally. Making innovation light-years faster, cheaper, and greener is Istari’s mission.  

Roper is also a board member and advisor of numerous startups and investment firms, senior advisor at McKinsey & Co., member of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board, and U.K. Royal Air Force Honorary Group Captain. Roper previously served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, overseeing $60 billion of annual technology development and operations for 5,300+ aircraft and satellites. A career innovator, he spearheaded the U.S. military's first uses of artificial intelligence, digital engineering, venture capital investments, hypersonics, and sustainable aviation.