About Obsidian Rising

The People Behind the Work

Government experience. Practical expertise. A shared commitment to service.

About the Firm

Experience Put Into Practice

Obsidian Rising LLC is a management consulting firm bringing together operational experience, practical AI expertise, and a network of consultants and advisors.

We support businesses with operations, AI adoption, and government contracting readiness. Our government capabilities include operational improvement, workforce training, and program development and implementation.

Founder & CEO

Meet Gladian Rivera

Gladian Rivera is the Founder and CEO of Obsidian Rising LLC, an AI operations strategist, author, and international speaker. Her 15 years of experience span the U.S. Department of Justice, state corrections, healthcare, and research.

Her work has centered on making complex systems more navigable: developing programs, strengthening processes, and helping people put plans into practice. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, she helped develop a reentry initiative and was part of the team recognized with the 2024 EOUSA Director’s Award for Superior Performance in Prevention and Reentry Activities.

Today, she brings that experience to management consulting, connecting operational strategy and program development with practical AI adoption. Her approach begins with the work that needs to improve, then identifies the processes, training, and technology that can support it.

2024 EOUSA Team Recognition

$65M Proposals Evaluated

<6mo HEARTS Program Launch

MWBE NJ Certified

A Legacy of Service
Veteran-Connected Business

Obsidian Rising LLC is proud to be a veteran-connected business. Military service is deeply woven into founder Gladian Rivera's family history, with 10 immediate and extended family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including combat-disabled veterans.

That legacy of service, resilience, and commitment to community continues to shape the values behind Obsidian Rising and its work with organizations, businesses, and public-sector partners.

Collaborative Expertise

Our Team & Expert Network

Our consultants and advisors bring complementary experience in operations, technology risk, workforce strategy, and implementation. Expertise is aligned to each engagement’s requirements.

Nikki J. Hamilton-Moore, M.Ed

Associate Consultant

Nikki J. Hamilton-Moore, M.Ed is an educational practitioner and consultant bringing expertise in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and differentiated instruction. She has worked extensively with diverse learners across middle and secondary education settings, with a focus on literacy, critical thinking, and equitable student-centered practice. Known for translating research into actionable strategies, Nikki partners with educators and organizations to design inclusive learning environments that drive student achievement, advance educational equity, and strengthen community impact.

Jason Panitch, Cybersecurity Risk and Technology Assurance Advisor

Jason Panitch, CISA, CEH, CND

Cybersecurity Risk & Technology Assurance Advisor

Jason brings experience in cybersecurity audits, risk assessments, technology controls, governance, and enterprise security operations. He helps organizations examine technology risks and strengthen oversight. He holds the CISA, CEH, and CND certifications.

Cybersecurity Auditing GRC Technology Controls Risk Assessment

Darlene M. Smith, Organizational Strategy and Labor Relations Executive Advisor

Darlene M. Smith, Esq.

Organizational Strategy & Labor Relations Executive Advisor

Darlene is a senior public-sector executive with more than two decades of experience in workforce strategy, labor relations, policy, compliance, and program administration. She brings a legally informed approach to organizational change, accountable systems, and sustainable operations.

Labor Relations Organizational Strategy Policy & Compliance Program Administration

Professionals featured in our expert network may support engagements as advisors, consultants, or independent collaborators based on project requirements and availability.

Selected Founder Experience

A Foundation in Public Service

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York

Helped develop the EDNY reentry initiative, including the RAISE court, as part of the team recognized by the 2024 EOUSA Director’s Award.

Healthcare

Operations & Program Development

Built and optimized operational systems for a healthcare organization, focusing on compliance documentation, staff training, and sustainable process design.

State Corrections

Institutional Program Management

Served on a Technical Evaluation Committee reviewing $65M in proposals for residential community-release programs. Developed and implemented programs within complex institutional environments.

Research Institutions

Academic & Research Operations

Supported research institutions with operational frameworks, grant compliance, and program sustainability structures.

2025 - Present

Obsidian Rising LLC

Leads a management consulting firm focused on operational improvement, program development, and AI adoption, with a growing focus on government consulting opportunities.

Company & Founder Credentials

Qualifications & Recognition

Company · NJ MWBE Certified

Minority Women Business Enterprise certification issued by the State of New Jersey, qualifying Obsidian Rising for MWBE-designated procurement opportunities. (2026)

Founder · EOUSA Director’s Award

Member of the team recognized for Superior Performance in Prevention and Reentry Activities, including work on the EDNY reentry initiative. (2024)

MASCA Board of Trustees

Governance leadership supporting regional correctional systems and professional development initiatives.

Harvard Online

Strategy Execution for Public Leadership, focused on translating strategy into measurable institutional results.

Graduate School USA

Executive Leadership & Change Management training within complex federal environments.

Certified ScrumMaster

Agile delivery, iterative execution, and cross-functional team facilitation.

Bilingual

Fluent in English and Spanish across diverse organizational and stakeholder environments.

Government & institutional partners: view our company deck →

Our Approach

Clarity. Implementation. Ownership.

Understand the Work

Start with the challenge, the people involved, and the conditions that shape delivery.

Build a Practical Response

Define the scope, deliverables, and implementation steps around the engagement’s needs.

Equip the Team

Support staff with the guidance, documentation, and training needed to sustain the work.

Let's Connect

Ready to Talk?

We'd love to learn about your organization's challenges and explore how we might work together.

Schedule a Conversation