Ms. Nancy Gunderson is a Project Director for Human Capital Initiatives at the Defense
Acquisition University, responsible for leading the development of the Human Capital
Strategic Plan for the DoD Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Workforce. Prior to
joining DAU, Ms. Gunderson was Senior Business Analyst in the Supply Chain Systems
Transformation Directorate of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics. She joined the office (originally Defense Procurement
Acquisition Policy, E-Business) in September 2004 and led the Department’s initiatives in
Strategic Sourcing and Emerging Capabilities.
Ms. Gunderson’s career began in the Navy’s Contracting Career Intern Program in 1988 at
the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) as a contract specialist. She has since held
several contracting positions of increasing responsibility. In 1995, Ms. Gunderson was
promoted to her first Contracting Officer position at NAVAIR. Ms. Gunderson moved to
the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in 1996, accepting a Contracting Officer
position in the Undersea Weapons Program Office.
In 2000, Ms. Gunderson joined the Pentagon Renovation Program (PENREN) and served
as a Supervisory Contracting Officer and Team Leader. She was responsible for refining
acquisition processes and procedures and developing and executing acquisition strategies for
the renovation and construction projects, to include the rebuilding efforts after the
September 11th attacks at the Pentagon. In 2002, Ms. Gunderson became the Director of
the PENREN Acquisition and Business Group. Under her leadership, the team was
responsible for managing all the acquisition, contracting and cost estimating functions for
the program. Additionally, she was assigned responsibility for leading and conducting
acquisitions on behalf of the Iraq Reconstruction Program for its overarching and sector
program management office support services.
Ms. Gunderson has an extensive professional education, including leadership development
at the Federal Executive Institute and training associated with her Level II Acquisition
Professional Certification in Program Management and Level III Acquisition Professional
Certification in Contracting. Ms. Gunderson is a member of the National Contract
Management Association. Additionally, Ms. Gunderson has been recognized with several
awards throughout her career, including the Elmer B. Staats Young Acquisition Professional
Excellence Award in 2003, the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award, the Defense
Acquisition Executive Certificate of Achievement, and Certificates of Excellence for
Acquisition Reform from the Department of the Navy.