News Release
Heather Wolters Honored for Military Harmful Behavior Prevention Analysis
CNA has recognized Principal Research Scientist Dr. Heather Wolters with the Phil E. Depoy Award for Analytical Excellence. The analyst’s work has had a significant impact on military programs to prevent destructive and harmful behaviors and to improve the mental health of servicemembers.
Currently, Wolters is leading a multi-year effort to support the Army in implementing the harmful behavior prevention model she helped develop. This model strengthens the Army’s ability to link measures of risk and protective factors to outcomes. In addition, she has worked with Marine Corps to identify factors related to recruiter mental health, producing recommendations that informed leadership decisions and were approved for broad release. And her evaluation of the Coast Guard’s Special Victims’ Counsel program was referenced in a recent National Defense Authorization Act.
Dr. Katherine McGrady, the president and CEO of CNA, in presenting the award, said that Wolters has “a distinctive ability to transform complex personnel and behavioral challenges into operational frameworks that decision-makers can actually implement.”
Other awards recipients honored at this year’s CNA Awards are:
CEO Teamwork Award
CNA’s Repurposing Arleigh Burke Destroyers for Allies and Partners Team was selected for the 10th Annual CEO Teamwork Award, which recognizes superior performance by a project team. This team addressed a high-stakes, congressionally mandated study. They brought together complementary skill sets across three different divisions in CNA. The Navy International Programs Office praised the work for its innovation and actionable insights, noting that they had long been searching for a framework to align security cooperation items with potential recipients.
Mary Ann Pianka-Carey Kellam Award
Payal Chhabra received the Mary Ann Pianka-Carey Kellam Award, presented annually to an employee who demonstrates excellence in the quality and creativity of their work, as well as a commitment to service. Chhabra has worked at CNA for over a decade, continually demonstrating excellence as a talent acquisition specialist. Since 2023, she has successfully filled more than 260 positions, averaging nearly 75 hires a year, well exceeding industry benchmarks. By helping staff each research division with top talent, she has directly contributed to CNA’s mission.
Deployer Award
The Deployer Award goes to those analysts in the CNA Field Program who undertake lengthy tours at sea or in combat zones. This year’s recipients are Isaac Barrash, Adam Olsen, Gino Saad, and Glenn Turner.
Barrash is currently deployed as a field analyst to Carrier Strike Group Three abroad USS Abraham Lincoln. He began deployment in November 2025.
Olsen deployed with Carrier Strike Group One aboard USS Carl Vinson from May to July 2025.
Saad deployed with Carrier Strike Group Twelve abroad USS Gerald R. Ford from June 2025 to February 2026.
Turner deployed with Carrier Strike Group Eleven abroad USS Nimtz from March to October 2025.
The CNA Corporation (CNA) is a not-for-profit analytical organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. With nearly 700 scientists, analysts, and professional staff across the world, CNA's mission is to provide data-driven, innovative solutions to our nation's toughest problems. It operates the Center for Naval Analyses—the Department of the Navy's federally funded research and development center (FFRDC)—as well as the Institute for Public Research. The Center for Naval Analyses provides objective analytics to inform decision-making by military leaders and ultimately improve the lethality and effectiveness of the joint force. The Institute for Public Research leverages data analytics and innovative methods to support federal, state, and local government officials as they work to advance national and homeland security.
Note to writers and editors: CNA is not an acronym and is correctly referenced as “CNA, an independent not-for-profit analytical organization.” Please do not refer to us as a think tank.