Naomi Corbi (’26): Building Full-Spectrum Security

 

“It is very rewarding to empower someone to protect what matters most to them.”
– Naomi Corbi (’26)

Naomi Corbi’s work to protect high-level clients has saved lives and helps keep our world more stable. Through her company, SAFE (Strategically Armored & Fortified Environments), Naomi and her team create secure spaces with the full spectrum of security – including safety measures and medical preparedness – sometimes in dangerous or unusual areas.

Below, Naomi describes how her nursing background and IWP education have been instrumental in her current work, both as Executive Partner for Medical Preparedness & Security Strategy at SAFE and in her role as an Associate Researcher with Oxford University’s Hertford Diplomacy Centre, where she contributes to the global conversation on biosecurity.

Combining Medicine and Security

Naomi began her career in the world of biochemistry, eventually earning a nursing degree and serving as a traveling nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noticing supply chain issues in her field, she began her own company focused on complex case management.

She directly impacted people’s lives during this time, including a client who had lost both his legs in a shipping accident and became suicidal. Naomi was able to bring a team to him in rural America to provide the support he needed. At first, he was completely uncommunicative, and after a few years, he was smiling and back on a fishing boat.

Naomi had always been interested in the national security world, and she knew about it firsthand from a family member who served in the Intelligence Community. But in practical terms, she said, “I married into the national security world.”

Her husband, Al V. Corbi, grew up in a family that required extensive security, studied architecture, served with the Department of Justice, and later founded SAFE. SAFE prepares fortified environments for both the commercial and private sectors, fortifying homes, estates, commercial properties, yachts, etc.

His business took off when it was featured on Oprah and when he was consulted about Panic Room, a movie featuring a burglar invasion and a “panic room” constructed to protect the homeowners. After the debut of Panic Room, people became more receptive to serious security measures in their own homes.

Naomi joined SAFE and added her medical expertise – now a crucial component of the business. “SAFE was building beautiful multi-million dollar bunkers,” said Naomi. “But what happens if you are in a facility like this and your child has a medical emergency? I was able to identify the clients’ risks and build in safeguards.”

For instance, one of Naomi’s clients had a grandson who got badly hurt on their superyacht. Because SAFE had installed medical equipment and taught the client’s staff how to use it, the staff was able to control the bleeding until they could get him to a hospital. “In emergencies like this, it doesn’t matter how much money you have – you can’t be airlifted out in the fog,” said Naomi. “What we designed from a medical perspective saved this boy.”

Projects that Naomi and her husband have worked on have included building on challenging pieces of land, like the sides of hills or cliffs. They have built trap doors and created a moat that bursts into flames when breached. They have brainstormed about exploding chandeliers.

“I have spent a lot of time learning on the job,” said Naomi. “I am able to be creative, and our dinner table conversations are quite unique. I love it so much that it doesn’t feel like work. I feel fortunate that I have found something I’m so passionate about.”

One of Naomi’s projects was a bunker in Ukraine – built before the 2022 invasion and war with Russia. “It wasn’t just a fun project – there was a real risk. Now our client is protected,” said Naomi.

Studying Security at IWP

Naomi found IWP through the recommendation of Neil Livingstone, a longtime friend of IWP founder Dr. John Lenczowski and one of Naomi’s mentors in the national security world.

“I was intimidated by the idea of attending IWP because it was such a practitioner-heavy program, and I had no national security background,” said Naomi. “I was wrong – it was one of the best things I did. It was great to be surrounded by practitioners in this environment where there is so much room to learn and grow.”

Naomi took the time to meet individually with her professors and get to know them, and she encourages other IWP students to do the same. “I can say without a doubt it was one of the best experiences to have relationships with the faculty where you can just pick up and call them,” she said.

At first, the relevance of the medical world to the national security world was unclear to her, but her IWP professors helped her connect the dots. “So many doors opened,” she said. “It’s important to be open to changing directions and being agile in life.”

Her education has been directly applicable to her work. “The fact that I have been able to learn about so much of the national security side of things has been invaluable to what we are doing at SAFE,” she said. “I have been able to bring a geopolitical risk perspective into our designs.”

Many of SAFE’s clients travel extensively, and Naomi’s IWP education has helped her identify potential threats and incorporate them into SAFE’s security measures.

“My family will tell you that IWP has helped me hone my diplomatic skills as well,” said Naomi.

The Impact of Naomi’s Work at SAFE

Naomi’s work not only impacts her clients but also the stability of the world in general. “Our fortified structures have the reputation of being something that impacts only wealthy people,” said Naomi. “But so much of our work involves structures that allow societies to remain stable.”

For instance, some of the people SAFE protects are so well-known that the stock market would have a downturn if anything happened to them.

Meanwhile, SAFE’s clients need the protection they provide – it is not a frivolous expense. “People have called us after their kids have been kidnapped,” said Naomi. “We offer the full spectrum of security and even consider insider threats.”

Some of SAFE’s clients require rotating teams of 50 security guards who come in shifts to their homes. In these cases, an insider threat could be a real issue. “We give clients the ability to be autonomous over their own security,” said Naomi. “We love and respect the security teams, and they are necessary for our clients. But we like to be able to give our clients complete control if anything goes wrong.”

SAFE’s work has been featured on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the History Channel, CBS, CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

Joining the Global Biosecurity Dialogue

During the IWP-Oxford Study Abroad program, Naomi became connected to Oxford University’s Hertford Diplomacy Centre, where she now serves as an Associate Researcher, co-chairing a biosecurity working group.

She leads workshops and dialogues within a bipartisan environment to share real-world experiences and find solutions to real issues. Participants have ranged from generals to leaders of significant humanitarian projects. This group has participated in conversations with Parliament and people in key positions in the UK government.

With her background in chemistry, nursing, and supply chain management, Naomi has been researching issues that are not typically considered biosecurity threats. For instance, she has been raising awareness of growing antibiotic resistance in the modern world, which could become a significant problem in the future.

“It has been great to keep one foot in the academic world while being in the field as a practitioner,” said Naomi.

Through the Hertford Diplomacy Centre, Naomi has also shared some of what she does at SAFE. “We have gotten calls from countries like Morocco and Ukraine that want to incorporate our national security angle into their programs. I have been able to speak about what we do and the science behind it. For instance, you can’t just create a concrete bunker that will sustain a blast – there is a lot of engineering involved to ensure that you can survive inside it afterward.”

Looking to the Future

Naomi plans to continue working at SAFE, where she values the client relationships that she builds and loves the specific and individualized jobs. “It is rewarding to sit with a client, hear about their risks and fears, and deliver a solution that will protect what matters most to them, whether it’s their kids or their car collection,” she reflected.

In her free time, she has started an animal rescue in Maryland, named Mosaic, in honor of her two beloved labs that passed away after twelve wonderful years. She and other volunteers go to shelters and take dogs out for a “best day ever,” and they have also been helping with the street dog situation in the southern states. She is currently caring for two puppies that were found on the streets of Mississippi.

From rescuing animals to protecting influential clients, Naomi has combined compassion, expertise, and strategic thinking to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.