Nadine Choueiri, BS Management ’08 and MBA ’16, is the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) of Mission1st Group, a fast-growing, service-disabled veteran-owned government contractor. Since joining nearly eight years ago, she’s been at the helm of the company’s most significant transformations, growing it from a small defense-focused business into a diversified technology enterprise with international reach.
Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, Mission1st delivers IT and telecom services to both federal and commercial clients. Choueiri has led key strategic initiatives, including a major acquisition and seamless integration of Ardent, where she now also serves as CFO and COO.
Her path to executive leadership traces back to the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. “I already loved the school from undergrad. I needed an MBA program that could work with my full-time schedule, but I also didn’t want it to drag on for years,” recalls Nadine Choueiri, BS Management ’08 and MBA ’16.
The evening-format MBA offered the perfect fit and became a turning point in her career.
“When I first joined Mission1st, we were what’s considered a ‘small business’ in government contracting. We’ve since graduated into a large, multifaceted operation,” Choueiri explains. That growth included expanding beyond defense into federal civilian markets, building new joint ventures, and launching operations in Puerto Rico, all milestones she helped orchestrate.
The Ardent acquisition stands out as a highlight in her career. “There was a real alignment in mission and capability,” she says. “Bringing both teams together was exciting and complex. But it was also incredibly energizing.” Today, she draws daily inspiration from the leadership team and employees she works alongside. “It’s the collaboration and the clarity of purpose that keep us moving forward.”
Her rise wasn’t linear. As an undergrad, Choueiri explored several majors before landing her first accounting role at a government contracting firm. “That’s when I made the decision that whatever I do, I’m going all the way,” she says. It was during her MBA that she truly found her stride.
One standout memory from her MBA program was the Global Residency in South Africa. “Our project focused on building sustainable businesses in South Africa. We met with Coca-Cola executives and other leaders,” she says. “It was eye-opening. At that point, I had only worked for one company so that trip gave me perspective on other companies and industries.” She and her classmates bonded over the experience, including a pre-trip safari, creating lifelong memories. “You work all day, then head to class in the evenings,” she says. Having a strong cohort whom you enjoyed spending time with made all the difference.”
To current students, Choueiri offers this advice: “Intern early and often. You might think you know what you want until you get a taste of something else and realize that’s the real fit.” She also emphasizes the value of emotional intelligence: “You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you can't build trust or connect with others, it’ll be a tough climb.”
Today, Nadine Choueiri is widely recognized for her forward-thinking leadership. In 2025, she was named a finalist for the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Transformative CFO of the Year Award. The recognition highlights her role in reshaping Mission1st’s business model and growth trajectory, as well as her influence on the future of financial leadership in the technology sector.