The IDA-managed Defense Management Institute (DMI) is a nonpartisan research organization committed to bridging public and private sector efforts to advance enterprise business operations and improve management, organization and performance within the Department of Defense (DOD). IDA hosted the inaugural DMI Symposium and Kick-Off Event in January 2023. This publication provides the event’s agenda and proceedings, including addresses by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathryn Hicks, former DOD Chief Management Officer Beth McGrath and former Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning. Defense management experts shared their expertise as part of two panels: (1) what every DOD manager should know about how DOD works and (2) next steps needed in defense management reform.