Our Team
RIF’s team brings together globally recognized experts in energy security, critical-infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and governance reform. Our founders and fellows have led national-scale programs, advised governments in high-risk environments, and shaped policies across Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and emerging democracies worldwide. United by a mission to strengthen sovereign, resilient, and modern infrastructure systems, our team combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight—supporting partners as they confront evolving geopolitical, cyber, and institutional challenges.
Executive Director
Dr. Steven S. Burns
Dr. Steven S. Burns is a Founder and Director of the Foundation for Resilient Infrastructure & Freedom (RIF) and one of the United States’ foremost experts on energy security, critical-infrastructure resilience, and institutional reform. He has more than 25 years of experience, spanning multiple roles in the private sector and in U.S. Government leadership. He served as Director for Energy Security at the National Security Council (NSC) and Chief of Energy & Infrastructure at USAID, where he designed and managed major foreign assistance programs across Europe and Eurasia.
At USAID, Dr. Burns directed $650M+ in programs and launched the Agency’s first critical-infrastructure cybersecurity initiative, expanding it into a $140M multinational effort. His work has mobilized tens of billions in infrastructure investment, strengthened partner-nation resilience, and reinforced stability in regions facing acute geopolitical and cyber threats.
At RIF, he guides the Foundation’s mission to help allied and emerging democracies build secure, modern, and sovereign infrastructure systems capable of withstanding both physical and digital pressures.
Dr. Burns is a licensed professional engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from George Washington University.
Programs Director
Paul Stack
Paul S. Stack is a Founder and Director of the Foundation for Resilient Infrastructure & Freedom (RIF) and a leading practitioner in energy policy, critical-infrastructure cybersecurity, and crisis response. With more than a decade of U.S. Government service, he has directed high-impact regional initiatives as Head of USAID’s Critical Infrastructure Unit, where he led over $200M in energy and cyber programs across Eastern Europe.
During the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Paul oversaw urgent resilience operations—including the deployment of 7,000+ secure satellite communication devices—earning multiple federal awards, including the U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award. He previously drove regulatory-reform and cybersecurity-capacity programs at NARUC, shaping first-of-their-kind policies across partner nations.
At RIF, he advances the Foundation’s mission to build secure, sovereign, and modern infrastructure systems in emerging and frontline democracies, integrating policy, technology, and institutional capacity to protect essential services.
Paul holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Alessandro Lazari
Senior Fellow
Dr. Alessandro Lazari is a RIF Fellow specializing in hybrid threats to critical infrastructure, EU cybersecurity law, and national-level resilience across Europe and Eurasia. A trained attorney and engineer, he has supported governments on regulatory alignment, CIP legislation, and cybersecurity capacity-building through major initiatives with the European Commission, ENISA, NATO, and USAID.
Alessandro previously contributed to flagship EU programs on ICS security, cyber-insurance, and certification standards, and has played key advisory roles in Moldova, Kosovo, Georgia, Ukraine, and several EU member states. A published author and lecturer, he brings a highly technical and policy-driven perspective to RIF’s mission of strengthening secure, sovereign, and resilient national infrastructure.
#hybridthreats, #cyberlaw
Claudia Iannazzo
Senior Fellow
Claudia Iannazzo is a RIF Fellow focused on cybersecurity capacity-building and strategic risk management in emerging and frontier markets. A Founder and CEO of Catalisto, she has led major programs for USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and critical-infrastructure operators to strengthen national SOC capabilities, OT/IT resilience, and cyber maturity across Europe, Africa, and the Balkans.
She is also the creator of Lexcy, an AI-driven platform for evaluating global cybersecurity solutions, and serves as a trusted advisor to boards, international partners and donors committed to creating affordable, modern, secure, and sovereign digital infrastructure.
#cybersecurity, #AIplatforms
Tess Brown
Office Manager