“In the national security world, naïveté and idealism are not cute. They need to be cured. In this field, they can get people killed. IWP trains its students to have a realistic mindset about the evil, difficult world that we live in. When you operate in that reality and truth, you can make a difference.”
-KaLeigh Long (’19)
A lifelong entrepreneur and committed patriot, KaLeigh Long was inspired by her IWP education to address one of America’s most pressing national security vulnerabilities: dependence on foreign critical mineral supply chains. This led her to found Westwin Elements, America’s first major nickel refinery.
Until recently, the U.S. had no domestic capacity to refine nickel—an essential component in high-performance batteries, defense technologies, and consumer electronics—leaving the country reliant on geopolitical rivals like China. KaLeigh’s work is helping to close this gap and protect American strategic interests.
From Cowboy Country to an International Outlook
Born in New Mexico, KaLeigh comes from a long line of cowboys. Her father, a pastor, started his own cattle business—instilling in her a spirit of grit and entrepreneurship. As a young girl, she sold handmade crafts door-to-door, secured her first cattle loan from the USDA in high school, and later launched ventures in advertising, real estate, and subscription-based meat delivery.
Her interest in international affairs began early, sparked by encounters with Christian missionaries returning from global missions. She later taught Syrian refugees in Lebanon and pursued academic studies in Middle East history, Islamic eschatology, and terrorism.
Confronting Injustice in the Congo
KaLeigh’s connection to the Congo began during her advertising work, as she supported awareness campaigns by Congolese activists. She soon became deeply involved in efforts to reform the region’s cobalt and coltan mining industries—industries often plagued by human rights abuses and dominated by foreign powers.
Her advocacy work brought her to Capitol Hill, where she met Ty McCoy, former Acting Secretary of the Air Force and IWP Trustee. He encouraged her to study at IWP and apply for a scholarship.
Finding her Mission at IWP
At IWP, KaLeigh took time to reflect, study, and sharpen her understanding of global affairs. A directed study on the Congo with Africa expert Dr. Charlie Snyder proved pivotal.
“During this course, I began to see the big-picture importance of critical minerals for national security,” said KaLeigh. “I discovered that the United States had virtually zero capacity to refine key minerals like nickel and cobalt, while China controlled most of the global refining market—with far less regard for human rights.”
She learned that the Congo produces about 80% of the world’s cobalt and 40% of the world’s tantalum—minerals vital to global technology and security. However, eastern Congo, where much of this mining takes places, is marked by ongoing conflict and foreign interference from actors such as China, Iran, and Russia.
“The lack of U.S. engagement in the Congo enables both a national security threat and the continuation of unchecked human rights abuses,” KaLeigh said. “From that realization, Westwin Elements was born.”
Building Westwin Elements
KaLeigh founded Westwin Elements to address these challenges directly – establishing America’s first significant nickel refinery in Lawton, Oklahoma. She and her team raised $60 million to build the facility, which refines the imported nickel and creates primary products that are used in aerospace, defense, EV batteries, consumer electronics, and more.
Westwin has grown rapidly, and KaLeigh was recently recognized on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Green Energy and Tech. In recent weeks, Westwin secured $1.4 billion in committed nickel sales.
“Dr. Charlie Synder still advises me today,” said KaLeigh. “He helps us navigate the political complexities of working in Africa and the strategy behind supply chains.”
Applying the IWP Education Every Day
KaLeigh credits IWP with transforming how she operates as a business leader in a global context. “I could probably go through each class and how it added value to my career,” she said.
One course that stands out is John Sano’s Writing for National Security Professionals.
“I wish everyone in my organization could take this course. It teaches how to prioritize information, write concisely, and communicate in a fast-paced environment—skills that are essential in business.”
KaLeigh continues to experience crossover between her IWP education and her company’s work. Westwin is currently exploring a government contract related to decontaminating radioactive nickel, and it recently closed a major deal in Turkey—another region she studied in-depth at IWP. She continues to seek guidance from Prof. Paul Davis, particularly regarding business in Kurdistan.
At her graduation ceremony, General John W. Nicholson, Jr. (Ret.) offered a piece of advice that has stayed with her: Americans tend to be transactional, and the rest of the world does not.
“I repeat that quote often to our commercial team as they negotiate around the world,” said KaLeigh.
From Idealism to Realism
Reflecting on her intellectual transformation, KaLeigh credits IWP—especially Prof. Sano—with helping her evolve from an idealist to a realist.
“Prof. John Sano changed my worldview of national security,” said KaLeigh. “I studied terrorism as an undergrad, and I was idealistic, almost utopian. What I love about IWP is the practicality and realism. In this field, naïveté can get people killed. Prof. Sano was intent on curing his students of that dangerous idealism.”
Securing the Future
Today, KaLeigh combines her Christian concern for human rights, her entrepreneurial drive, and her strategic training from IWP to lead one of the most consequential energy and security ventures in the U.S.
By building critical mineral refining capacity at home, KaLeigh Long is not only securing American supply chains—she is reshaping the global landscape.
