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Catherine Edmonson is a national security strategist, Capitol Hill veteran, and defense tech founder known for helping organizations build presence, influence, and credibility within the U.S. federal ecosystem.

CATHERINE EDMONSON

About

Catherine Edmonson is a Capitol Hill veteran, defense lobbyist, and the Founder of Demand Signal—a tech-powered lobbying firm helping companies secure federal funding without the red tape.

She made history as the youngest Chief of Staff to a Defense Appropriator in Congress and has since secured over $900 million in congressional funding for cutting-edge defense technologies.

Known for her unconventional path, bold leadership, and relentless drive, Catherine is on a mission to transform how innovation reaches the hands of those who serve.

Today, Catherine advises defense startups, VC firms, and federal leadership teams on navigating the complexities of Washington.

Her work ensures that mission-critical innovation gets the visibility, funding, and adoption it needs to succeed.

Featured Work

33° 32' 30.0444'' N, 117° 46' 37.9704''

ORIGIN STORY

Laredo, Texas. Scorching sun. A border tour with a group of Congressmen. I’m leading the walkthrough for Border Patrol.

The Congressman—who would soon become my boss—turns to me and says,
‍
“You’re good at talking to people. Want to come in and interview to be my Chief?”

I was 23.

RESULTS FOCUSED

WINS

$900M

Total congressional appropriations secured

50+

Startups/VCs ADVISED

FEDERAL brands Identities crafted, reflecting unique stories

100

PROJECTS Brought to life, overcoming 'VALLEY OF DEATH'

OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

BUYER

As the youngest Chief of Staff on the House Defense Appropriations Committee in congressional history, Catherine helped shaped the annual $400B defense budget out of the $800B passed in discretionary funding each year.

SELLER

As a defense lobbyist, Catherine secured millions in congressional adds for companies like SpaceX, Palantir, Shield AI, Epirus, and Leidos.

BUILDER

As a founder, Catherine built Demand Signal and sold into DoD to help non-traditional defense vendors match with DoD programs.

ORGIN STORY

ORIGIN STORY

While most students were chasing internships, she was already running federal strategy as Director of Federal Affairs — managing millions in funding, touring the southern border with Members of Congress, and advising DHS clients like Border Patrol on operational gaps and tech requirements.

It was on one of those border tours that a senior Homeland and Defense Appropriator, approached her and said:

‍“You’re good at this. Want to come interview to be my Chief of Staff?”

‍She accepted the challenge.

In a meeting that would shape her career, Catherine walked into the room with nothing but courage and clarity — and told the Congressman exactly what she could fix, laying out a 2 year plan.

He hired her on the spot.

She became the youngest Chief of Staff in U.S. history for a Member of the Defense and Homeland Security Appropriations Committee.

2 years later, that plan became a reality.

RGV SECTOR 26° 12' 12.2652'' N 98° 13' 48.0396'' W.

WINS UNDER LEADERSHIP

Statistics

95%

95% success rate on congressional appropriations requests

$500M

$500M+ in district grants awarded in a single fiscal year

50%

Boosted national media presence for Congressman by 50%

237

House floor staffer for 237-member majority — coordinating vote strategy and alignment with House leadership as Blue Dog Chief Deputy Whip Staffer.

PAST PERFORMANCE

CASE STUDIES

Battle-Tested in the Most Important Primary in America

Led the counter-strategy during the 2018 election cycle, congressional primary — building a full campaign infrastructure and winning a race that political media called, “The Win the Blue Dog Caucus Needed During the Toughest Political Primary Seasons for Moderate Democrats.”

HR 5896

Led the strategy behind the Border Patrol Pay Reform Act, streamlining overtime compensation and stabilizing schedules for agents. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

APPROPRIATIONS

Designed an appropriations and engagement strategy that resulted in a $10M plus-up, elevating the company’s visibility and aligning its automation platform with military logistics modernization.

MARKET ENTRY

Led the strategy that delivered the company’s first Army contract through targeted engagement with RCCTO, strategic messaging, and industry teaming.

TRUSTED BY LEADERS

TESTIMONIALS

“She advised all 435 of us on the House floor every day during vote series. She knows how Members think, what they care about — and how to move them.”

— Blue Dog Democrat, Member of Congress