About The Digital Transformation Center

The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) stands as a beacon of innovation, providing a dedicated space where government, industry, and academia converge to collaborate, brainstorm, educate, and cooperate in advancing digital transformation initiatives, particularly in support of the United States Air Force (USAF). With our cutting-edge facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and expert guidance, we catalyze genuine and impactful innovation that transcends individual capabilities.

The USAF has identified the critical need to drive digital transformation throughout its organization, and the DTC is at the forefront of this strategic initiative. Our mission is clear: to eliminate data barriers, enhance operational efficiency, and significantly accelerate the pace of innovation. As the key driver of our future success, digital transformation demands urgent action, and the DTC stands ready to lead the charge into a new era of technological advancement.

Industry

Government

Academia

The future of industry-government-academia engagement isn’t just promising; it’s the road to groundbreaking financial breakthroughs. Join us, and be part of this transformative journey.

Connection & Collaboration

The DTC is a fusion of authentic collaboration, where innovative ideas are cultivated, and engagement on real-world projects where addressing challenges becomes a daily routine.

For our members, we emphasize digital transformation as the cornerstone of collaboration with our partners. By addressing complex challenges together, we pave the way for the creation of new ventures. This collaborative environment nurtures the growth of opportunities and opens up new pathways for employment opportunities.

Student Success

We are dedicated to fostering student success and are committed to continuing this mission. Through the connections made within the DTC, we provide the momentum that enables universities to develop innovative STEM-based degree programs. Envision students not just broadening their knowledge but also earning while they learn through co-ops, internships, and part-time positions, all while developing transformative skills. This support is the springboard that launches them towards achieving their aspirations in STEM careers. With us, your dreams of success are not just possible—they’re within reach.

As I began looking for a student position as a University of Dayton engineering student, I stumbled upon an opportunity via student employment that seemed to be a great fit with my background—a role tied to technology at the University of Dayton Research Institute.

The student job opportunity offered flexibility, which I needed with my class schedule. I applied, interviewed, shared my availability, and landed the position! What struck me most was the understanding and support I received—whenever exams loomed, I worked with my manager ensuring I had ample time to prepare. I was immersed in IT, where I witnessed firsthand the metamorphosis sparked by digital transformation. I was surprised at the evolution from pre-transformation technology to its present form, gaining invaluable insights along the way.

After graduation, I moved away from Dayton to pursue my career path. A few years later I was back in Dayton and missed the great environment I had worked in at UDRI. Once again, I applied and was hired! My current career path includes pursuing a master’s degree and digging deeper into my assignments. I’m motivated to expand my skills and grow my knowledge base!

Heather’s Story

Digital transformation is a relatively new and cutting-edge concept. It isn’t something that is discussed often at the undergrad level, at least in my experience. It was the opportunity to continue to participate in the digital transformation revolution for the DoD and my excitement and curiosity to see where it takes us that led me to the decision to continue to work for UDRI part time during my final semester and ultimately to come on as a full-time engineer upon my graduation. It is also my excitement for digital engineering that led me to the decision to pursue my Master of Science in Systems Engineering degree beginning this spring.

I knew that I was in working at UDRI full time after my first co-op work term during the summer after my sophomore year. I had a very positive experience and was fortunate to have worked with and for a very knowledgeable, fun, and talented group of people, and I knew it was something I could see myself being a part of. When I was given the opportunity to continue working for UDRI the following Fall semester to complete a double work term, I accepted immediately. I wanted to continue to grow at UDRI and see what I could accomplish. During my second, third, and fourth work terms I was able to participate in a wide variety of different projects and my confidence only grew that UDRI was where I wanted to end up after graduation.

Ben’s Story

STEM Education = Foundation for the Future

STEM education is crucial for preparing a skilled workforce capable of navigating the complex challenges of tomorrow’s industries. At the Digital Transformation Center, we are at the forefront of this educational revolution. Our state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programs will be specifically designed to equip students with the technical skills, and hands-on experience they need to excel in cutting-edge careers. By integrating real-world applications with academic learning, the DTC will help to prepare students for future job markets and positions where they can drive technological advancement and economic growth.

Meet Our Team

Stacie Hoelscher
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Stacie spearheads the DTC’s business operations, steering its mission to unite government, industry, and academia in pioneering collaborations, learning, and innovation to advance digital transformation initiatives for the United States Air Force. Stacie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from The Ohio University and earned recognition by the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2022.
Amanda Russell
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Amanda oversees the management of DTC offices and plays a key role in coordinating office management duties including space reservations. She plays a vital role by working with the DTC technical staff and community partners to build relationships. With an impressive 18-year career at UD and UDRI, she has held various positions in catering management and purchasing. Amanda brings an impressive broad range of skills and extensive professional background to the DTC.
Nan Holler-Potter

Nan is an integral part of the team at the DTC, overseeing the management of social media channels and communications, as well as spearheading the organization and planning of events. Within her 15-year tenure at the University of Dayton, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role, particularly in event coordination and office management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Dayton and certification as a Professional in Human Resources.
Megan Hallstrom

The role of Technical Scout revolves around harnessing the latest in digital engineering innovations. Megan brings 10 years in Open Innovation and emerging/disruptive technology consulting. She has a background in project management and she’s a Certified Associate of Project Management. Megan has a physics degree from Case Western and a master’s from Colorado State University.
Kristy Fairfax

Kristy is a key team member at the DTC, leading our workforce development initiatives. With over 18 years of experience in workforce development across K-12 education, higher education, economic development, and industry partnerships, she offers a deep reservoir of knowledge to her role. She founded KMF Workforce Consulting, where she has managed significant projects nationwide. Kristy holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Wright State University. She has successfully scaled initiatives such as the PACCE career pathways program for Learn to Earn Dayton and supporting JobsOhio’s Talent Team.
Eric Troidl, P.E.

Eric has over 15 years of experience in a broad array of systems developments and digital transformation initiatives for the U.S. Air Force. He is currently supporting Digital Materiel Management (DMM) efforts within AFRL and AFLCMC. Additionally, he is supporting AFRL/RY and AFLCMC/RO with the development of MBSE models for requirements documentation, process mapping, and product validation. Eric is leading a team supporting AFLCMC/WNZ with the development of a 5-year roadmap for digital transformation utilizing the current digital maturity assessment tool as a baseline. Eric’s prior projects include various sustainment and technology transition projects for AFRL and AFLCMC/WNZ involving evaluating US Air Force safety data, conducting voice of customer surveys, and completing extensive testing to substantiate published performance and durability claims, developing technical data packages for government approval and product procurement.
Dr. Ann Carbonell

Dr. Ann Carbonell is the Principal Technical Advisor at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), powered by UDRI, and a seasoned Senior Executive with over 34 years of leadership in national security, program management, and mission-focused innovation across the defense and intelligence sectors. Her work consistently centers on enabling faster decision advantage, resilient infrastructure, and digital integration critical to modern threat environments—including those addressed by “Golden Dome”-like capabilities.

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Dr. Ann Carbonell is the Principal Technical Advisor at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), powered by UDRI, and a seasoned Senior Executive with over 34 years of leadership in national security, program management, and mission-focused innovation across the defense and intelligence sectors. Her work consistently centers on enabling faster decision advantage, resilient infrastructure, and digital integration critical to modern threat environments—including those addressed by “Golden Dome”-like capabilities.

During her 13-year tenure as a Senior Executive at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)—including three years at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)—Dr. Carbonell led analytic modernization and enterprise-level initiatives in strategic planning, infrastructure acquisition, architecture development, and IT transformation. She helped accelerate sensor-to-decider workflows, drive AI/ML adoption, and operationalize space and airborne sensing in support of integrated deterrence and rapid threat response.

Most recently, as MASINT mission lead and Director of a Commercial Innovation Center at Riverside Research, she advanced GEOINT and missile defense capabilities through partnerships that strengthened early warning, targeting, and situational awareness across the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. She also currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the U.S. MASINT Foundation, which she led the establishment of in 2024, fostering deeper collaboration across technical intelligence domains.

Dr. Carbonell holds a BSEE from the University of Dayton, an MS from Creighton University, and a PhD in Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. Her career has been recognized with multiple USDI, DoD, and national awards—including the prestigious Presidential Rank Award—highlighting her enduring impact on mission readiness, threat detection, and the digital foundations of next-generation defense systems.