Ukraine Foundation
Inspiring Change, Driving Impact
Robert N. Crawford is a senior executive and global technology leader with more than three decades of experience driving large-scale transformation across the public and private sectors. Renowned for aligning technology with enterprise strategy, he has led complex turnaround initiatives, reduced total cost of ownership, and delivered mission-critical systems in some of the world’s most demanding operational environments. His career reflects a consistent ability to act as a change agent, integrating emerging technologies, data-driven decision-making, and disciplined execution to enhance organizational performance across cultures and geographies.
His professional experience spans senior leadership roles in multinational corporations, government, and advisory firms. Most recently, he has served in senior executive and advisory capacities with Peraton Financial Agencies OU and as Senior Partner at Addison Mabry LLC and Lumeri Consulting, where he advised global clients on technology-enabled transformation, execution certainty for mega-projects, and enterprise alignment. He has served senior leadership teams at six publicly listed Fortune 500 and equivalent global large-cap enterprises traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ, including Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC), and Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU), helping these organizations reduce risk, improve execution certainty, and deliver sustainable operational improvements.
Previously, at Hewlett-Packard, he held roles including Vice President and Head of Infrastructure Services and Senior Director within HP Information Technology, overseeing global infrastructure, end-user services, and networks across 72 countries. He was a senior architect of the landmark HP corporate split, executed in nine months, resulting in two independent enterprises each exceeding USD 50 billion in annual revenue, while simultaneously reducing costs, rationalizing infrastructure, and negotiating outsourcing agreements exceeding USD 1 billion in total contract value.
Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Chief Information Officer and Associate CIO for Enterprise Services at the U.S. Department of the Treasury / Internal Revenue Service, leading a 2,000-person organization responsible for enterprise architecture, engineering, and delivery of more than 200 IT projects annually supporting over USD 2.4 trillion in revenue. His leadership contributed to historic achievements, including 100 percent systems availability during tax filing season, accelerated tax refund processing, nationwide expansion of electronic filing to more than 90 percent utilization, and prevention of over USD 5 billion in tax fraud through advanced detection capabilities. He was formally recognized by the IRS Commissioner for outstanding contributions to the transformation of the U.S. tax system. His earlier private-sector experience includes senior roles at Electronic Data Systems (EDS, formerly NYSE: EDS), Fibreboard/Owens Corning, Marsh & McLennan, and Crum & Forster, with extensive involvement in mergers and acquisitions over four decades.
Mr. Crawford’s publications include internal and client-facing frameworks and methodologies on IT transformation, execution certainty, and enterprise architecture that have been widely applied across government and industry to support large-scale modernization and risk reduction initiatives. His decorations and awards include formal recognition by senior U.S. government leadership for exceptional service, as well as multiple industry acknowledgments for excellence in technology transformation, operational resilience, and client impact.
He was educated at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, and pursued graduate coursework at the Wharton School and London Business School. He also completed advanced studies in comparative tax policy and administration at Harvard Kennedy School and holds a Certificate in Employment Law from the Institute for Applied Management Law. He is a native English speaker with extensive professional experience working across Europe, North America, and the Middle East in multicultural executive environments.
New York: Read the latest publication with Asia Society of our International Advisory Board member, Ambassador Pierre Andrieu on China-Russia Relations since the Start of the War in Ukraine.
In his August 20, 2025 Asia Society report “China-Russia Relations Since the Start of the War in Ukraine,” our International Advisory Board Member, Ambassador Pierre Andrieu, Senior Fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, scrutinizes how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated Sino-Russian cooperation -particularly through the rapid deepening of trade, sanctions circumvention, and the poignant asymmetry of the relationship despite the “no-limits” rhetoric that preceded the conflict.
China-Russia Relations Since the Start of the War in Ukraine – August 20, 2026
Doha: Watch our International Advisory Board Member, Dr. John A. Pennell, commenting to Al Jazeera on the Alaska Summit
Princeton University & Modern War Institute At West Point: Dr. Mariya Heletiy Publishes “The Balkans Model and Conditions for Peace in Ukraine” In the Irregular Warfare Initiative
We are proud to share the latest contribution from Dr. Mariya Heletyi, whose new article has been published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative, a joint project of Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict and the Modern War Institute at West Point.
In “The Balkans Model and Conditions for Peace in Ukraine,” Dr. Heletiy draws on the experience of the Balkan conflicts to analyze the irregular warfare nature of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what it means for peace-building. Her analysis offers a sobering but necessary perspective: that peace in Ukraine cannot be built on traditional negotiations alone.
Using the backdrop of Russia’s repeated violations of ceasefire agreements -most recently its broken “Easter truce”- Dr. Heletiy argues that today’s hybrid conflicts require more than diplomatic handshakes. The war in Ukraine spans far beyond the battlefield, touching diplomatic, informational, economic, humanitarian, and military fronts. As she points out, ceasefires in irregular conflicts often serve less as a path to peace and more as a pause for regrouping and rearming.
Drawing lessons from the Balkans, Dr. Heletiy proposes that irregular warfare tools -such as economic pressure, information campaigns, and unconventional tactics- must be part of any comprehensive strategy for sustainable peace. Her article warns against the false comfort of conventional approaches that do not account for the ideological drivers, asymmetries, and non-state actors that continue to shape today’s conflicts.
We encourage everyone interested in peace and security in Ukraine and beyond to read Dr. Heletiy’s full piece, which brings deep insight and strategic clarity to one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Washington: Check out the latest media appearances of Ukraine Foundation’s International Advisory Board Member John Pennell
John Pennell on Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria in The Cognitive Crucible by the Information Professionals Association – September 16, 2025
In the episode, Dr. John Pennell explores how Russia’s use of irregular warfare and information operations has evolved across Ukraine and Syria from 2014 to 2022, arguing that Russia has increasingly blended kinetic, cyber, influence, and hybrid tactics to shape outcomes. He discusses how the information environment has become a key domain in contemporary conflict, emphasizes the growing role of non-state actors (like criminal syndicates) in amplifying Russia’s messaging, and calls for better public literacy about information threats, more research into how adversaries adapt their strategies, and more integration between scholars, policymakers and practitioners in responding to this more complex character of war.
John Pennell on “Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine?” in At the Boundary by the Global and National Security Institute of the University of South Florida – August 11, 2025
In the “Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine?” episode of At the Boundary, Dr. John Pennell discusses how Russia leveraged its 2015 intervention in Syria as a proving ground for techniques later applied in Ukraine. He argues that operations in Syria allowed Moscow to test tools like drones, electronic warfare, information campaigns, and proxy forces under real combat conditions. Dr. John Pennell traces how Russia adapted those hybrid warfare methods—initially developed in the Syrian context—to the conflict in Ukraine, especially in its early phases (Crimea, Donbas), emphasizing plausible deniability, disinformation, and local proxies. He also highlights the importance of understanding this operational lineage for NATO, the U.S., and partners as they seek to counter Russia’s evolving toolkit.
FAQs
What is the focus of Ukraine Foundation’s work?
Ukraine Foundation is an independent, mission-driven research and impact organization dedicated to advancing peace, resilience, and innovation in Ukraine. Our work combines rigorous policy research with practical initiatives that strengthen Ukraine’s international partnerships, support innovation and technology, and promote cultural resilience amid the ongoing war.
How does the Foundation turn research into impact?
We believe research should lead to real-world change. Our policy programs —Ukraine in Europe, China in Ukraine, and Ukraine in the Global South— produce insights that shape international dialogue and policy. At the same time, our impact initiatives foster cooperation between governments, businesses, academia, and civil society, ensuring that ideas translate into action for Ukraine’s security, prosperity, and influence.
How can individuals and organizations engage with the Foundation?
Engagement is central to our mission. Partners, experts, and supporters can collaborate through joint research projects, public events, and strategic initiatives in innovation and culture. We also welcome contributions to our programs that amplify Ukraine’s voice globally and strengthen its resilience at home.
How can I support Ukraine Foundation?
You can support our mission by contributing financially, partnering on research or impact projects, or amplifying our work through your professional networks. Every contribution -whether funding, expertise, or visibility- helps us strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and global partnerships.
Does Ukraine Foundation accept volunteers or research fellows?
Yes. We welcome dedicated professionals, researchers, and students who want to contribute to our policy and impact agenda. Opportunities range from short-term projects and fellowships to longer-term engagement with our programs and initiatives.
How can organizations collaborate with the Foundation?
We actively partner with think tanks, universities, governments, businesses, and NGOs to co-develop research, host events, and implement projects that drive meaningful change. Organizations interested in collaboration can reach out to us directly to explore tailored partnerships.