Gen. Kurilla, Ex-CENTCOM Head, Joins Pallas Speakers Bureau

WASHINGTON – January 22, 2026 – Strategic advisory firm Pallas Advisors announced today the launch of the Pallas Speakers Bureau, a new platform designed to connect audiences with prominent national security and technology leaders. Tapped as its inaugural speaker is General (Ret.) Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the distinguished former commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), who brings 37 years of military experience to the private sector.

The move signals a strategic expansion for Pallas Advisors and highlights a growing trend of corporate and institutional demand for the strategic insights of high-ranking military leaders. General Kurilla, who retired in 2025, will offer his perspective on leadership, emerging technology, and the complex interplay of defense and geopolitics.

“The Pallas Speakers Bureau stands out for its commitment to delivering credible, experience-based voices in an increasingly crowded national security space,” General Kurilla stated in the announcement. “I look forward to sharing lessons learned from leading large organizations during complex operations and combat deployments – and exploring how these experiences can inform strategic decision-making in the private sector.”

From CENTCOM to the Speaking Circuit

General Kurilla’s transition from one of the military's most critical operational commands to the speaking circuit comes at a time when his expertise is particularly relevant. His tenure as the 15th Commander of CENTCOM, from 2022 to 2025, coincided with a period of extraordinary turbulence across the Middle East and Central Asia. In March 2024, he testified that the region was facing its “most volatile security situation in the past half century,” a stark assessment that underscored the challenges he navigated.

During his command, General Kurilla oversaw U.S. military operations amidst escalating Iranian aggression, persistent attacks from proxy forces in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and the complex fallout from the conflict in Gaza. His strategic focus also contended with the growing influence of Russia and China in the region, a dynamic he noted created a chaotic environment ripe for exploitation. His leadership involved not only managing direct threats to U.S. forces and global commerce but also championing technological innovation to maintain a competitive edge.

His extensive career prior to CENTCOM included commanding some of the U.S. Army’s most elite units, such as the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 75th Ranger Regiment. Having been wounded twice in combat, his insights are forged from direct experience in some of the most consequential missions affecting U.S. security. Since retiring, he has remained engaged in policy and service as a distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and as a board member for non-profits supporting service members.

Pallas Advisors' Strategic Expansion

Pallas Advisors, founded in 2018 by former senior Department of Defense officials Sally Donnelly and Tony DeMartino, has carved out a niche advising technology companies on navigating the intricate national security landscape. The firm’s leadership and advisory board are populated by a deep bench of former high-ranking government and military officials, giving it significant credibility in bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon.

The launch of the Pallas Speakers Bureau is a natural extension of its core mission. It formalizes a pathway for the firm's network of experts to share their knowledge more broadly, complementing its existing advisory services, a non-profit foundation for training future leaders, and a venture capital arm, Pallas Ventures, that invests in dual-use technology.

Securing General Kurilla as the first speaker is a significant coup, immediately establishing the bureau’s high-caliber positioning. “General Kurilla’s operational expertise and reputation for leading tech adoption make him an exceptional inaugural speaker for the Pallas Speakers Bureau,” said Sally Donnelly, Founding Partner at Pallas Advisors. “Audiences will benefit from his unique combination of operational prowess, strategic thought, and global experience.”

The Growing Demand for Battlefield Acumen

The creation of the Pallas Speakers Bureau reflects a powerful trend in the private sector: an increasing appetite for the strategic acumen honed in military service. In an era of profound global volatility, technological disruption, and supply chain fragility, corporations and institutions are seeking guidance from leaders accustomed to making high-stakes decisions in complex, unpredictable environments.

This demand has fueled a competitive market for speakers, with established players like the Washington Speakers Bureau and Leading Authorities also featuring rosters of former generals, diplomats, and intelligence chiefs. These experts are called upon to help organizations understand geopolitical risk, foster resilient leadership, and navigate the strategic implications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Pallas appears to be positioning its bureau to stand out by emphasizing the recent and relevant operational experience of its speakers. By offering what it calls “credible, experience-based voices,” the firm is betting that clients want insights not just from esteemed historical figures, but from leaders who have just recently stepped away from the front lines of today’s global challenges. General Kurilla's topics—U.S. national security, leadership in complex environments, and the intersection of defense, economics, and geopolitics—are tailored directly to this demand.

This trend, often dubbed the “military-to-private sector pipeline,” brings undeniable value to the corporate world. The ability to plan long-term strategy, manage large-scale logistics, build cohesive teams, and lead through crises are skills directly transferable from the battlefield to the boardroom. For technology companies in particular, leaders like General Kurilla, who drove innovation within the Department of Defense, offer invaluable insights into government needs and the adoption of cutting-edge capabilities. While the so-called “revolving door” between government service and private industry often invites scrutiny, it is governed by ethics regulations designed to prevent conflicts of interest. The value placed on this expertise demonstrates a recognition that the complex challenges facing the world today require a multi-disciplinary approach, blending the best of public sector experience with private sector dynamism.