Professional Experience
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mantid International: (2012 to present)
Founder, Manager, and Executive Consultant of global consulting firm providing bespoke solutions for government and private sector/defense industry clients in the areas of business intelligence; compliance, public relations and communications strategy; public policy; strategic planning; and anti-corruption/due diligence. Based in Guam, Cruz oversees global operations in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. As the CEO, Cruz realized over $976 million in savings and over $1.8 billion in new business for clients over the past 10 years. Mantid is an award-winning Woman-Owned Small Business and is ITAR and TRACE certified. Cruz is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a newspaper columnist, and an active public policy advocate, organizing efforts in support of Guam Energy resiliency. Other active Guam projects include the Guam Tourism Recovery Development Plan and the SMS program at Guam Behavioral Health.
Adjunct Professor
University of Guam (UOG): (2023 to present)
Part-time adjunct professor in the Political Science Department of UOG – top regional accredited land and sea grant university. Teaching senior level undergraduate US Foreign Policy.
Senior International Evaluation Consultant
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): (2012 to 2013)
Author and team member for multiple evaluations of UN projects including the Iraq Country Evaluation covering all UNIDO projects in Iraq from 2003-2012.
Deputy Inspector General – DoD-SES III
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR): (2004 to 2012)
Instrumental in creating the first Special Inspector General – a model replicated for Afghanistan and the financial bailout. Developed, interpreted and executed policy, planning, communications and congressional strategies necessary to stand up a innovative federal entity focused on oversight of $60 billion Iraq reconstruction effort. Managed day-to-day operations of the 160 staff and $30 million annual budget. Responsible for consistent and dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of audit, inspection and investigative results, developing and directing highly visible Quarterly Reports to Congress. Conceptualized initiatives including development of Inspector General system for the Government of Iraq (including policies, training, advisory) and improved contingency contracting procedures for US and Iraq. Built SIGIR’s reputation and credibility among government stakeholders, the American public and the international community. Represented the organization to media and at various speaking engagements including a NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) Experiment on Countering Hybrid Threats held in 2011.
Vice President
MELE Associates, Inc.: (2001 to 2004)
Responsible for reshaping a D.C. management consulting firm. Managed a wide array of strategic planning, information technology, communications and project management improvement efforts for clients including: the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Defense (DOD), Air Force Surgeon General (USAF/SG), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), Air Force Knowledge Management Program (USAF/KMP), U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (USA TRADOC), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In conjunction with federal clients, designed and implemented programs, established program objectives, identified resources, and tracked metrics for all projects ensuring goals were achieved on time and within budget. Also responsible for marketing and external relations for the company.
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: (2000 to 2001)
Directed day-to-day operations of the Public Affairs Office including oversight of 30 employees at headquarters and 81 field offices managing national public affairs for all aspects of $30 billion federal agency including public housing, homelessness, fair housing laws, Native American housing, FHA loans, and economic development initiatives. Lead speechwriter for Secretary Andrew Cuomo. Coordinated policy and external relations issues with legal staff. Provided direct public relations/media support to the Secretary of HUD and the agency.
TV Reporter
WSMV-TV, NBC Affiliate: (1999 to 2000)
Wrote and reported (live, taped and webcast) for top rated television news program in Nashville, Tennessee (#30 Designated Market Area (DMA) ranking).
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor of Guam: (1996 to 1999)
Member of the executive policy team that provided management, monitoring and direction for the executive branch. Exercised oversight of external and internal communications for the Government of Guam. Reviewed, interpreted, developed, and implemented government (local and federal) policy in the areas of Emergency Management (Super Typhoons/Earthquakes), Environment, Transportation, Justice, Budgeting, Federal Relations, Foreign Relations and Education. Member of the Tourism Task Force and Education Task Force. Developed and directed international image building and high-level crisis management on such issues as the crash of KAL Flight 801 (8/97), Super Typhoon Paka – Category 5 Preparation/Response (12/97), Chinese Immigrant Asylum Crisis, Mustard Gas Response, and VISION 2001 Strategic Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Territory of Guam. Governor’s speechwriter, primary spokesperson for the Government of Guam.
News Director, Executive Producer Local Programming, and Anchor
KUAM-AM-FM-TV, NBC Affiliate: (1992 to 1996)
Reengineered and managed top rated local television and radio affiliate. Responsible for planning, design, and construction of new TV/radio facilities; hiring, training, and management of staff and development of new programming. Lead anchor and executive producer for television and radio news and shows. Also involved in investigative reporting efforts focused on government efficiency. Efforts resulted in rise in local ranking to #1 and eventual monopoly of TV market.
Planner and Public Information Officer
Bureau of Planning, Government of Guam: (1990 to 1992)
Developed proposed legislation, secured federal grants (authored first grant for study of immigration impact of Compacts of Free Association), directed all aspects of public information, authored The Wetlands of Guam an environmental guidebook, while supervising projects within the Coastal Zone Management Program. Principal speechwriter, publisher of newsletters, event planner and spokesperson for department. Governor’s appointee to Compact Impact Information and Education Committee coordinating joint federal-local efforts on immigration and community-related issues.
6/1986 to 11/1990
Anchor, Producer, Reporter, Guam Cable TV, CNN Affiliate.
Produced hourly top-rated newscast and specials, emceed live shows, delivered radio news, supervised and trained staff of 15, worked as investigative reporter. Nominated as segment producer in 1989 ACE awards for work on Tropical Visions weekly program. Anchored newscasts, reported and developed local programming. Narrator of half-hour documentary Guam’s History in Song.
6/1982 to 9/1985 seasonal
Guam Legislature – Acting Office Manager and Budget Analyst
During college, spent summers in Guam working at the Guam Legislature for Senator Franklin Gutierrez and Senator Pilar Lujan. Worked on GVB budget, economic development legislation and constituent matters.
Education & Certifications
Masters International Public Policy, John Hopkins University (SAIS), Washington DC 2009
BA, International Relations, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 1986
Boards & Affiliations
Lifetime Member, Council on Foreign Relations: 2012 To Present
Advisory Board Member, International Stability Operations Association: 2017 to Present
Guam Chamber of Commerce, Armed Forces Committee Member: 2023 to Present
Society of American Military Engineers, Guam Post Member: 2023 to Present
Safe Ports Board of Advisors: 2023 to Present
University Of Pennsylvania Alumni Ambassadors Committee: 1990 To Present
Member, Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) 1992-6
Awards & Publications
Monthly Columnist, Guam Daily Post (2022-Present)
Vanguard Award, Small Business Category, ISOA (2017)
Secretary Of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism: (2011)
Sentner Award for Dedication and Courage, Council Of Inspectors General On Integrity and Efficiency: (2009)
U.S. Senate Recognition - Congressional Record: (2009)
Award For Civilian Service, U.S. Department of The Army Commander's Award: (2007)
Secretary’s Award for Excellence, Us Department of Housing and Urban Development: (2000)
PCIE Awards for Excellence in Audits And Inspections: (2008)
Gaston Gianni Better Government Award, President’s Council on Integrity & Efficiency: (2006)
Award For Civilian Service, U.S. Department of The Army Achievement Medal: (2006)
Superior Accomplishment Award, SIGIR: (Each Year Between 2005 And 2012)
Mentor – US Dept. of Energy Senior Manager Development Program 2006
Secretary’s Award for Excellence, US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, 2000
Governor’s Award of Excellence, Government of Guam, 1997 – KAL Flight 801 Crash Response
Ace Award Nominee, Outstanding Programming Achievement, Producer, “Tropical Visions”
Publication “Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience” – 2009 (SIGIR collaborative work)
Authored “A Structural Approach to Future Stability and Reconstruction Operations” – Kauffman Foundation – 2010
Other Interests
Painter – watercolor and ink mediums
Jewelry Maker – fine gem beading
