Kennedy, Dr. Pitman

Dr. Kennedy is a Senior Innovation Program Manager with the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. In his current role he is responsible for managing an $85M ventures portfolio in which he leverages small business innovation research, commercial solutions openings, and other execution pathways to shepherd innovative ideas from concept to pilot and ultimately enterprise-wide scaling. He also cultivated an Innovation Ecosystem in which he nourished relationships between the Government, Industry Experts and Academia. He retired from the U.S Air Force on 31 December 2016 after 21 years of active service in which he held a myriad of key responsibilities including Technical Craftsman, Senior Enlisted Leader and Professional Development Manager responsible for the career development of more than 2500 enlisted members. 

Born and raised in Liberia, West Africa, Dr. Kennedy escaped his homeland due to a civil war and sought refuge in neighboring Sierra Leone for two years prior to entering the United States as a refugee. He is the owner and CEO of Sweat Equity Athletic & Leadership Development Corporation. Sweat Equity provides a holistic and global approach to youth development in the areas of character, leadership, academics, and athletics. Dr. Kennedy published his first book a memoir titled “THE AUDACITY OF RESILIENCE”, which was released in March 2020. He is an avid motivator, coach, and speaker who thrives on making an impact in his community through reshaping lives and giving young people multiple means to their respective ends.