The New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a key driver of the state’s technology and economic development, has named Dr. Aisha Haynes to its Board of Directors. The appointment brings a high-level expert in defense innovation and advanced materials to the Newark-based organization as it looks to strengthen New Jersey’s position in the national security and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Haynes currently serves as vice president at Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI), where she leads the Advanced Materials Practice. Her career is defined by more than 20 years of experience within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), specializing in transitioning cutting-edge technologies from the laboratory to the battlefield.
Before moving to the private sector, Dr. Haynes held one of the most influential roles in federal materials research. As the Principal Director for the Advanced Materials Critical Technology Area within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, she provided strategic oversight for a portfolio exceeding $1 billion.
In that role, she was a chief architect of national strategies that integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and automation into the development of next-generation materials. Her work at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) further reinforced her expertise in armaments and computational modeling, specifically focusing on how new materials perform under the extreme stress of “harsh environments” like gun-launched and rocket-launched systems.
Haynes’ appointment aligns with NJII’s mission to act as a bridge between New Jersey’s academic institutions—specifically its parent organization, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)—and the industrial and government sectors.
In addition to her technical leadership, Haynes has served as:
- Professor: U.S. Army Armaments Graduate School at Picatinny Arsenal.
- Adjunct Professor: Stony Brook University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering.
- Mentor: Supporting the next generation of STEM professionals in the New Jersey/New York region.
“Dr. Haynes’ breadth of experience… will be instrumental as NJII continues to expand its role in driving innovation and industry collaboration,” the Institute noted in its announcement.
For New Jersey, the addition of Haynes to the NJII board signals a focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Defense Technology as pillars of the state’s economic growth. Her deep understanding of federal technology transition policy is expected to help Jersey-based startups and established enterprises better navigate the path to government contracting and large-scale production.
Haynes, an alumna of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, joins a board that includes prominent leaders from Stryker, BioNJ, and the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, further diversifying the expertise guiding Newark’s innovation ecosystem.
