Wahid Nawabi is Chairman, President, and CEO of AV, a global defense technology leader redefining the future of unmanned systems across all domains. Under his leadership, AV has transformed into a disruptive force in the industry - focused on innovation, agility, and delivering mission-critical solutions at the speed of relevance.

With more than 30 years of experience spanning engineering, operations, and executive leadership, Wahid brings a rare combination of vision, technical expertise, and human-centered leadership to everything he does. Since joining AV, he has reshaped the company's strategy, launched multiple award-winning breakthrough products, and led a cultural reinvention that has driven eightfold revenue growth, expanded operating margins, and outpaced industry benchmarks.

Born in Afghanistan and arriving in the United States as a legal refugee, Wahid’s journey embodies resilience, reinvention, and relentless drive. From rebuilding his life in a new country to leading a next-generation defense technology company, his story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and leadership grounded in purpose.

Wahid is a passionate advocate for innovation with impact, frequently speaking on topics ranging from leadership, the future of autonomous systems, and the evolving intersection of technology and national security. As an engineer and businessman, he combines deep technical insight with bold leadership to drive the disruptive innovation that defines AV. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Today, Wahid continues to lead AV with a singular mission: to advance the technologies that protect our nation, our allies, and our future.