Carolyn A. Kahn

The MITRE Corporation — Distinguished Chief Spectrum Economist



Carolyn Kahn serves as Distinguished Chief Spectrum Economist at The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that acts in the public interest by delivering objective, cost-effective solutions to many of the world’s biggest challenges. Ms. Kahn is a trusted adviser to senior officials and internal and external teams, and her work has informed decisions at the highest levels. Ms. Kahn has made groundbreaking technical contributions by applying economic principles to electromagnetic spectrum challenges to help optimize use of this critical national resource. Her expertise includes electromagnetic spectrum, wireless communications, 5G/6G, dynamic spectrum sharing, technology innovation, future workforce, business and investment analysis, and whole-of-nation solutions. Ms. Kahn has served as a member of the Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) since 2016, co-chairing its 6G Subcommittee and its Unmanned Aircraft Spectrum Subcommittee. She led a seminal economic study on aeronautical mobile telemetry in support of the United Nations World Radio Conference in 2007. Ms. Kahn received the 2019 national Women of Color (WOC) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) award for Outstanding Technical Contribution in Industry. She earned an MBA in Finance and Marketing from McGill University, a BA with high honors in Economics and International Studies from Brandeis University, and the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus award from Shawnee High School.

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