Meet Your Navigator
Captain Sean Brandes, USN (Ret.)
Your Strategic Partner for Navigating Complex Change
When organizations face their most challenging transformations, they need a leader who has navigated through real storms—not just theoretical ones. Sean brings 27 years of proven military leadership, from Pentagon strategy rooms to NSA operations centers, directly to your business challenges.
Proven Under Pressure
Sean’s career reads like a masterclass in high-stakes leadership:
- Pentagon Leadership: As Deputy Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Sean advised Navy leadership on communications and strategic initiatives affecting 600,000+ service members
- NSA Operations: Directed cybersecurity and intelligence operations with 2,000+ personnel, implementing enterprise-wide risk analysis strategies that transformed agency capabilities
- Combat-Tested: Led cryptologic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, making mission-critical decisions where failure wasn’t an option
Transformation Specialist
Sean doesn’t just manage change—he creates champions from the ground up:
Professional Transformations:
- Launched enterprise onboarding programs adopted across multiple agencies
- Led $7M+ budget operations while maintaining 24/7 mission-critical capabilities
- Designed strategic partnerships that elevated organizational reputation nationally
Personal Proof Point: In 2022, Sean took on coaching a winless high school soccer team. Two years later: back-to-back Georgia State Championships. The same leadership principles that work on championship fields work in boardrooms.
Your Cybersecurity & Risk Management Advantage
With active Top Secret/SCI clearance (valid through 2028) and deep cybersecurity expertise, Sean bridges the gap between security imperatives and business objectives:
- Published Authority: “Newest Warfighting Domain: Cyberspace” – recognized thought leadership in strategic cybersecurity
- Real-World Application: Implemented security protocols protecting national security operations
- Business Translation: Converts complex security requirements into actionable business strategies
Education & Credentials
- M.S. Computer Science – Naval Postgraduate School
- B.S. Psychology – Arizona State University
- Cyber Federal Executive Fellow – Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
- Active Security Clearance – Top Secret/SCI with CI Polygraph (through 2028)
Leadership Philosophy
“Whether commanding naval operations or coaching championship teams, the fundamentals remain the same: Respect, Hustle, and Think. Respect your mission and your people. Hustle with relentless preparation and execution. Think strategically about every decision. When organizations embrace these principles, transformation isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.”
Community Impact
Sean’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the boardroom:
- Championship Coach: Back-to-back Georgia State Champions (2023 & 2024)
- Community Leader: Event Chair, Association of Old Crows – Augusta Chapter
- Youth Mentor: Soccer referee promoting leadership and inclusion in sports
Why Sean?
When your organization faces complex change, you need more than a consultant—you need a navigator who has successfully guided others through actual storms. Sean combines the strategic thinking of Pentagon leadership, the operational excellence of NSA command, and the transformation expertise proven from winless seasons to state championships.
Ready to navigate your next transformation?
Contact Sean to discuss how military-proven leadership principles can drive your organization’s success.
“We are either winning, or we are learning. Both lead to success when you have the right navigator.”
– Captain Sean Brandes