Paladin Global Institute

PROTECTING GLOBAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENHANCING SAFETY ONLINE

The Paladin Global Institute’s mission is to protect global critical infrastructure from cyber, AI, and deep tech threats and enhance the safety of people online by investing in research and advocacy, making informed policy recommendations, and bringing together the public and private sectors to share knowledge and create and invest in innovative technologies.

In this groundbreaking approach for a venture capital firm, Paladin is leveraging its global reach and deep bench of cutting-edge thought leaders and policy experts—including its Strategic Advisory Group—to marshal international stakeholders to identify and mitigate risks.

The Institute builds on Paladin Capital Group’s successful investment track record and extends its information advantage as Paladin leads the way on developing and investing in innovative technology that protect people and technology from advanced threats.

What We Do

The Paladin Global Institute is leading a global effort to protect the world’s critical infrastructure from cyber and AI threats and promote online safety by:

Fostering innovation and investment in solutions to protect people and technology from emerging threats;
Conducting research and collecting data to help business and government leaders make smarter investment and policy decisions;
Convening global thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and technologists to build partnerships and enhance the safety of the online environment worldwide;
Providing recommendations and analyses to business and government leaders; and
Advocating for enhanced security by encouraging others in the venture capital community to make cybersecurity a priority in their investments.

Paladin Global Institute Team

Ms. Walden serves as the President of the Paladin Global Institute which invests in research and advocacy and brings together the public and private sectors in pursuit of protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing the safety of people online. Prior to leading the Paladin Global Institute, Ms. Walden served as the Principal Deputy National Cyber Director and interim National Cyber Director in the White House. She is a recognized leader in the fields of cybersecurity, emerging technology policy, and national security both in government – the White House, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Commerce – and the private sector – Paladin, Microsoft, Pillsbury, and Mayer Brown. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Affairs, serves on the Board of the Atlantic Council, and is the co-chair of Aspen Digital U.S. Cybersecurity. Most recently, Washingtonian Magazine selected her one of the most powerful women in Washington D.C.

Devin Lynch is the Senior Director of the Paladin Global Institute and a former Director for Policy and Strategy Implementation at the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD). He has held key roles in both the private sector and government, including positions at the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense. He is an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and has served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for over 20 years, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Paladin Global Institute Team Highlights

Paladin Global Institute published “The Governance Layer: A Primer for Tech and Cyber Policy” which builds off the 2025 AI Tech Stack report. This primer proposes a new AI governance paradigm to meet the distinct opportunities and risks posed by AI.

Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden took part in a panel discussion at World Economic Forum’s 2025 Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity. Alongside other leading industry and government experts, Kemba shared insights about emerging trends in cybersecurity for 2026 and the ways that global leaders can align priorities to drive coordinated action.

Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden and Senior Director Devin Lynch published a report titled “The AI Tech Stack: A Primer for Tech and Cyber Policy” to provide policy, tech, and cyber practitioners with a framework for understanding AI systems.

On May 21, 2025, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden, Senior Director Devin Lynch, along with members of the broader Paladin team, met with the Maryland Department of Commerce for the Paladin Global Institute Maryland Investment Symposium. Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker, Jr., spoke with Paladin about the future of investment and economic development in Maryland.

On April 1, 2025, Paladin Global Institute Senior Director Devin Lynch participated in a National Security Institute roundtable on Capitol Hill with intelligence community leaders to discuss the importance of Open-Source Intelligence.

Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden has been named to the 2025 to 2026 term of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity. As part of the council, she will drive public-private action to address global cybersecurity challenges.

On February 7, 2025, Devin Lynch, Senior Director of Paladin Global Institute, presented the “Ecosystem Champion” award at the Institute for Security and Technology’s 2nd Annual Cyber Policy Awards.

Kemba Walden moderated a panel on February 5, 2025, at the Aspen Institute’s U.S. Cybersecurity Group Winter Meeting. Panelists discussed ways to reduce the harm caused by cyber scams, best practices, and the evolution of scams with the rise of generative AI tools.

On January 28, 2025, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden joined the Better Identity Coalition, an initiative of the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, for a panel discussion on the role that policy can play in combating identity-related cybercrime. Walden’s panel begins around 1:09:40.

On January 22, 2025, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden testified in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security on cyber threats facing American critical infrastructure and steps Congress can take to strengthen our nation’s cyber defenses. Read her written testimony.

On October 22, 2024, the Paladin Global Institute joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies to preview their new report on “Building Civics Concepts in STEM and the Tech Sector.” Listen to Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden’s remarks at the launch event and stay tuned for the full report in November 2024.

Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden sat down with the 2024 Nexus Conference team on October 15, 2024, to discuss the potential impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron Doctrine, including judicial challenges to existing cybersecurity regulations.

On July 31, 2024, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden sat down with Jonathon Ellison of the National Cyber Security Centre at CYBERUK 2024 to reflect on her time as the National Cyber Director.

At the Munich Cybersecurity Conference on March 11, 2024, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden joined Jeff Moss, President and Founder of DEF CON, and Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School Lecturer, for a conversation on the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological innovation.

On October 15, 2024, Secure Code Warrior released new findings in collaboration with the Paladin Global Institute on developer upskilling and its impact on organizations’ Secure-by-Design (SBD) initiatives. This report highlights the critical need for organizations across critical infrastructure industries to properly measure SBD progress.

Read More.

On April 16, 2024, Paladin Global Institute President Kemba Walden testified before the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions on how to prevent ransomware attacks and stop cyber criminals, highlighting the need to improve organizational resilience by providing adequate training and resources to companies of all sizes.

Read her written testimony.

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