Member Spotlight: Iliana Marshall

Thank you for sitting down with us, Iliana, and thank you for your years of government service. Can you share with us your career progression in the FBI?

I started out as a Contract Linguist in FBI San Juan. After three years in the role, I became a Staff Operations Specialist (SOS)/Tactical Specialist with the East Resident Agency in FBI San Juan, working tactical intelligence on several threats, to include violent crimes, violent gangs, and public corruption. I became an intelligence analyst (IA) in January of 2015, and I went right back to FBI San Juan, where I stayed until 2021.

During my career there I worked all the threats the FBI San Juan office works, as well as serving as the Domain Management Coordinator (DMC) for the field office. I also did a temporary duty assignment (TDY) in the Field Intelligence Management Unit at FBIHQ in 2021, where I fell in love with the work in HQ and with the city of DC.

In November of 2021, I transferred to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate as an IA, and worked Chem threats; I then transitioned to being a Threat Review and Prioritization Process Program Manager in the Directorate of Intelligence in May of 2022. In 2024, I became the Supervisory IA over the Economic Crimes team in the Criminal Investigative Division (CID), where I led a phenomenal team who supported field offices and private sector partners regarding financial crimes, such as scams, corporate fraud, and bank fraud. In late 2024, I became the Unit Chief of the Fraud Intelligence Unit, which included the Health Care Fraud team and the Economic Crimes team. I then took the DRP in May of 2025.

You forged such an interesting FBI career through multiple intelligence roles - from linguist to SOS to IA to DMC to management. And with San Juan and HQ experience, it must have been really cool to experience San Juan and DC throughout your career.

What made you want to become an IA?

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was a Contract Linguist, and the Collection Manager Coordinator (CollMC) at the time gave our team some training on intelligence requirements. I remember being in awe at this intel world I'd never seen, and talked to the CollMC after the training to ask for more information on the role.

I left that conversation with the goal of becoming an IA, and working towards building the necessary experience. I immediately applied to the posting, and three years later I arrived at Quantico for what was then known as NIAC. 

We love that intelligence requirements were your entry point into the intelligence analyst career path. It is such a vital and often overlooked piece of the puzzle.

What were the highlights of your FBI IA career?

The highlights of my FBI career can be summarized in two categories: the life changing work that we did, both in the field and CID, and the people I worked with. I had so many amazing mentors and colleagues throughout my career, who helped me grow and supported me, cheering me on even when I didn't really believe in myself.

People can make the biggest difference, and we couldn’t agree more - the FBI attracts and develops some of the most amazing leaders, mentors, and supporters.

What did you do after leaving the FBI?

I took some time to think about what my next steps would be. I knew I wanted to go back to my Marketing background, and incorporate my Program Management knowledge into a more concrete, marketable package.

Since leaving was a really tough decision, I also took some time to process and grieve.

Completely understandable and something all of us have or still are working through - saying goodbye to a cherished and life-changing chapter, especially in 2025.

What are you doing now?

I am currently studying to get my PMP certification, and working as the Marketing Director for a board game called Sage Stones.

That sounds so cool and an interesting pivot. The PMP is also a natural path from your time managing in the field (DMC) and multiple roles at HQ. What piece of advice would you give those considering government service?

Believe in the mission; it will carry you until you can no longer keep going. Also, the people are the most important aspect of this.

While the world may have a bunch of different opinions about our work, once you're in, you realize that you are surrounded by people who wholeheartedly believe in doing the right thing, the right way, for the good of the people.

So well said, and something that resonates with so many of us. At the end of the day, we worked for the people and we should be proud of our service.

What are 3 things you wish you knew when you started thinking about your transition to the private sector?

1. Well, I wish I knew how bad this job market really was, for one. I was able to find a temporary job because the board game designer is a friend of mine, and he really needed help in the Marketing department, but otherwise? It is brutal out there.

2. Your skills are 100% transferable. While studying for the PMP, I've found I've been doing project management for more than a decade; the private sector just uses different words to refer to the processes. 

3. Your support system is key. I have been able to keep going from rejection to rejection in this job market because of my husband. He saw that I needed to walk away, and how it was taking a toll on my mental health, and he has supported me and cheered me on, always having faith that I will achieve the goals I set for myself and that we will be ok.

Thank you for these - and for sharing your experience so candidly. We know your insights will resonate with so many in our community who are navigating career transitions during this challenging time.

What IA skills did you develop or further grow in your post-FBI IA role?

I definitely developed interpersonal communication skills (it's a constant improvement cycle), as well as analysis of massive amounts of data to make sense of what we need and how to make better decisions. I've become almost an expert in handling Amazon store reports! I also use my knowledge on strategy to enhance the marketing strategies I work on.

Those skills are HUGE right now, and will continue to grow in demand. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Just that I am so grateful to the people who helped me get to where I am, and who helped me grow as a leader, as well as the ones who supported me through this journey.

Thank you so much, Iliana, for sharing a glimpse into your inspiring and relatable journey with us. We are grateful to have you in our membership and community.