American College of National Security Leaders
The American College of National Security Leaders is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that convenes retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, and senior government executives to inform public debate, advise decision-makers, and mentor future leaders through publications, university seminars, and seven issue-focused committees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American College of National Security Leaders does
The American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society founded in 2017 and based in Washington, DC. It convenes retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, and senior government executives to provide a nonpartisan, whole-of-government voice on national security issues. The organization's work centers on informing public debate, advising decision-makers, and mentoring the next generation of national security leaders through educational programming and policy commentary.
ACNSL's core offerings include a publications program (policy briefs, articles, books authored by Fellows, plus an annual Book Award), a seminar and webinar series hosted with university partners, and an output stream from seven substantive committees covering Indo-Pacific strategy, the All-Volunteer Force, Environment and Polar Security, Arms Control, Global Health, Health and Readiness, and Alliances and Partnerships. Distribution occurs through the ACNSL website, formal university partnerships (University of Utah and University of Connecticut), and a media-distribution partnership with the Rolli expert-sourcing platform.
The business model is donation- and member-funded; the organization does not sell products or charge disclosed membership fees. Governance rests with a Board of Directors, with MG Peter Cooke serving as President and VADM (Ret.) Todd J. Squire as Chair. Recent activity (seminars, campus conversations, and co-sponsored lectures in 2025-2026) indicates steady operational expansion rather than rapid scaling.
American College of National Security Leaders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American College of National Security Leaders
- Legal name
- The American College of National Security Leaders
- Website
- https://acnsl.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The American College of National Security Leaders is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that convenes retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, and senior government executives to inform public debate, advise decision-makers, and mentor future leaders through publications, university seminars, and seven issue-focused committees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where American College of National Security Leaders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
American College of National Security Leaders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership: ACNSL is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Revenue is generated through donations from individuals and organizations committed to U.S. national security. Donations are tax-deductible and support the organization's mission to inform public debate, engage decision makers, and inspire next-generation national security leaders.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
American College of National Security Leaders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACNSL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional society that convenes retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, and Senior Government Executives to provide nonpartisan, whole-of-government perspectives on national security. It informs public debate, advises decision-makers, and mentors next-generation national security leaders through university seminars, committee-based policy research, and publications authored by its Fellows.
Product overview
The American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL) is a non-profit professional society, not a technology company. It operates as a unified organization offering national security expertise through its network of retired military leaders and diplomats. The core offerings include publications (policy papers, articles, books by Fellows), university seminars and webinars, the ACNSL Book Award program, and committee-generated research and recommendations across seven national security focus areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ACNSL Publications Policy positions, research papers, articles, and books written by ACNSL Fellows covering national security topics including Indo-Pacific strategy, military manning, health and readiness, and environmental security.
- University Seminars and Webinars Quarterly seminars hosted at partner universities (University of Utah, University of Connecticut) on national security topics featuring ACNSL Fellows as speakers, with the first seminar held September 19, 2025.
- ACNSL Book Award Annual award program recognizing outstanding books written by ACNSL Fellows that contribute to national security discourse.
- Committee Policy Research and Recommendations Research and policy recommendations from seven specialized committees covering Indo-Pacific, All-Volunteer Force, Environment and Polar Security, Arms Control, Global Health, Health and Readiness, and Alliances and Partnerships.
- ACNSL Membership Program Membership program providing qualified retired military officers, diplomats, and senior government executives with access to the organization's network, seven specialized committees, and thought leadership activities.
Companies that use American College of National Security Leaders
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American College of National Security Leaders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American College of National Security Leaders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- University of UtahcoreACNSL has partnered with the University of Utah to host quarterly seminars on national security topics. The partnership includes the School of Public Affairs and the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Seminars focus on areas such as Alliances and Partnerships, Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making, and feature ACNSL Fellows as speakers. The first seminar was held September 19, 2025.
- University of ConnecticutcoreACNSL partners with the University of Connecticut for webinars and campus conversations on national security topics. Joint events include virtual panels on Ethical Decision-Making featuring ACNSL Fellows as panelists. The partnership engages students and faculty on defense and diplomatic issues.
- Hinckley Institute of Politics (University of Utah)secondaryThe Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah co-hosted the 2026 Dalmas Nelson Lecture and a Career Panel on Working Globally alongside ACNSL. The partnership provides a platform for ACNSL Fellows to engage with students on international careers.
- RollisecondaryACNSL partners with Rolli, an award-winning expert sourcing platform that connects journalists with vetted thought leaders. The partnership enables media opportunities for ACNSL Fellows and helps distribute expert commentary on national security issues to a broader audience.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American College of National Security Leaders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Atlantic Council: A prominent Washington-based international affairs think tank producing nonpartisan analysis on national security, defense, and foreign policy. Comparable to ACNSL as a convener of senior experts and policy influencers on overlapping subject matter including Indo-Pacific strategy and alliances.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): A bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization focused on national security, defense, and international affairs. Comparable to ACNSL in serving as a hub for senior practitioner commentary and producing publications on issues like arms control, alliances, and global health.
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): A membership-based nonprofit that brings together foreign policy experts and practitioners to inform U.S. engagement with the world. Closely analogous to ACNSL's membership model of senior officials, publications program, and convening function in national security and diplomacy.
- Center for a New American Security (CNAS): A bipartisan national security and defense policy research organization producing reports on Indo-Pacific strategy, defense posture, and emerging threats. Directly comparable as a younger, practitioner-driven think tank competing for the same donor and media attention.
- Stimson Center: A nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on national security, global health, and environmental security. Directly comparable in scope, scale, and the practitioner-driven policy output model that ACNSL aspires to.
- Arms Control Association: A nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of arms control issues. Comparable in operating model — Thomas Countryman chairs both ACNSL's Arms Control Committee and ACA's Board — and subject focus.
- Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI): A nonprofit think tank producing research and convening experts on international affairs and national security. Comparable as a practitioner-led policy organization with similar scale and a publications-driven thought leadership model.
Broad incumbents
- Heritage Foundation: A large Washington-based public policy research institute with a substantial national security and foreign policy program. Comparable in subject area but broader in ideological positioning and significantly larger in scale and funding than ACNSL.
- RAND Corporation: A major nonprofit research institution providing analysis on defense, security, and international policy. Overlaps with ACNSL's domains but operates at much greater scale with a structured research staff rather than a volunteer Fellow model.
- Brookings Institution: One of the oldest and largest U.S. think tanks covering foreign policy and national security alongside economic and domestic policy. Comparable in policy domain but significantly broader in scope and resources than ACNSL's focused mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
American College of National Security Leaders social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican College of National Security Leaders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American College of National Security Leaders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
American College of National Security Leaders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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American College of National Security Leaders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about American College of National Security Leaders
What does American College of National Security Leaders do?
ACNSL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional society that convenes retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, and Senior Government Executives to provide nonpartisan, whole-of-government perspectives on national security. It informs public debate, advises decision-makers, and mentors next-generation national security leaders through university seminars, committee-based policy research, and publications authored by its Fellows.
Is American College of National Security Leaders a public or private company?
American College of National Security Leaders is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American College of National Security Leaders founded?
American College of National Security Leaders was founded in 2017. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is American College of National Security Leaders based?
American College of National Security Leaders is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does American College of National Security Leaders make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Membership.
Who are American College of National Security Leaders's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Atlantic Council, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Stimson Center, Arms Control Association and Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI). Broad incumbents are Heritage Foundation, RAND Corporation and Brookings Institution.
Does American College of National Security Leaders have an API?
No public API is recorded for American College of National Security Leaders.