The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) has named Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official Nicole Griffin as a 2026 recipient of its Charlie Allen Achievement Awards, recognizing her with the Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award.
Now in its 16th year, the Charlie Allen Achievement Awards honor early to mid-career professionals across the intelligence, national security, and homeland security communities who demonstrate leadership, impact, and commitment to developing others. Griffin was selected for her sustained mentorship and leadership within TSA’s intelligence enterprise.
Ms. Nicole Griffin serves as Acting Director of the Threat Analysis Division within TSA’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, leading a geographically dispersed workforce responsible for real-time threat identification, incident management, and intelligence-driven analysis protecting global transportation systems.
Assuming the division chief role unexpectedly in 2025, she quickly strengthened analytic quality and workforce morale while building hands-on onboarding and mentorship programs that transition Transportation Security Officers and other operational personnel into intelligence analysts, with multiple mentees advancing into senior analytic and leadership roles.
Through sustained coaching, candid career guidance, and advocacy for employee well-being, Ms. Griffin has strengthened analytic tradecraft and delivered lasting impact across TSA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the national security mission.
The Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing talent and strengthening the next generation of intelligence professionals.