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Welcome to The Buzz with ACT-IAC – your source for the hot topics and top issues affecting the federal technology market. Join us each week to hear insights from government and industry leaders, stay informed on the topics facing government, gain access to thought leadership and valuable reports. Subscribe to follow us on your favorite podcast platform.
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In this episode of the Buzz we get to talk to Todd Hager, the Vice President of Strategic Advisory at Alpha Omega. Todd reflects on his extensive career journey, starting from his early tech roles in the hotel industry, transitioning to government contracting, and becoming a key player in fostering industry-government collaboration. He discusses the importance of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, and shares insights on building collaborative communities. Todd also touches on signi...
DJ Dart, Chief Strategy Officer at Inadev, and Marisa Roinestad, recently retired after 25 years in federal service, discuss the relaunch of ACT-IAC's Partners 2026 program. They share their personal journeys and experiences that shaped their leadership styles, emphasizing the importance of empathy, creativity, and community in the evolving landscape of government-industry collaboration. They also explore the unique strengths of the Partners program, its role in preparing future leaders, and ...
This panel discussion, moderated by Joanie Newhart, Associate Administrator for Acquisition Workforce Programs at the Office of Management and Budget, delves into the impact of AI on the acquisition lifecycle in government agencies. The panel includes Bonnie Evangelista, Jonathan Mostowski, and Kaprice Tucker, who share their diverse experiences and perspectives. Topics cover AI applications in defense and civilian sectors, overcoming fear and resistance, optimizing processes, and the future ...
In this episode, Kareem Fidel of CGI Federal introduces Zach Whitman, Chief Data Scientist and inaugural Chief AI Officer at GSA, who discusses GSA's AI strategies and initiatives. Whitman elaborates on the practical experimentation and deployment of AI systems, the importance of data hygiene, benchmarks for AI performance, and the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption and acquisition for federal agencies. Key topics include AI in acquisitions, talent readiness for AI, and the fine bala...
In this episode of The Buzz, LM Bennett discusses her transition from bench science to team science at the NIH and NCI, co-authoring a field guide, and her new book, 'How to Succeed at Collaborative Research: A Practical Guide for Teams.' The conversation delves into the significance of trust, emotional intelligence, and effective communication in scientific collaborations, as well as the challenges of virtual teamwork. She also shares insights on designing successful retreats and fostering i...
In this episode of The Buzz, Scott Simpson, the acquisition COI Government chair at ACT-IAC, shares his unexpected journey into the governmental acquisition field. We delve deep into Scott's experiences, the crucial role contracts play, and the impactful mentorship that shaped his career. Scott discusses the significance of building a reliable network, the transformative power of true collaboration, and the exciting but challenging cultural shift in acquisition practices. This episode is rich...
Fellows-only panel focused on small business success in the GovCon space. Whether you're looking to grow, partner, or simply gain deeper insight into the current landscape, this episode is your chance to learn from leaders who have built, scaled, and sold small businesses in today’s evolving environment. Featured Speakers: Kim Hayes, KBR (Former Owner, The Ambit Group) Pawla Ghaleb, CEO, PBG Raza S. Latif, CEO, NuAxis Janis Garcia Keating, CEO/President, Wilco Group Moderated by: Mitz...
In this episode of The Buzz podcast by ACT IAC, the focus is on our Voyagers program, a leadership development initiative aimed at emerging leaders across federal government and industry. We get to talk with Ankur Saini, CTO at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Robert Turman, Director of Consulting and Delivery at CGI Federal. They discuss their paths to leadership, the vital role of creativity and adaptability, and how participation in ACT-IAC's programs has shaped their c...
In this final keynote, Jeff Sage, Director of Enterprise Service and Analysis Division at NASA's Office of Procurement, discusses the integration of AI in NASA's procurement processes. Introduced by Andrew McAllister, Jeff elaborates on NASA's historical and current use of AI, particularly focusing on its role in optimizing procurement operations amid workforce challenges. He shares practical AI applications like the statement of work generator that significantly enhances efficiency. Jeff als...
This episode features a panel discussion on the role of AI in workforce development within federal agencies at the AI Acquisition Forum 2025. Led by David Vennergrund, Vice President for AI at GDIT, the panel includes distinguished guests: Andrea Brandon from the US Department of the Interior, Florence Kasule from the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, and Wole Moses, Chief AI Officer at Microsoft’s federal civilian division. The conversation delves into the evolving landsc...
In this episode of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez speaks with Sydney Heimbrock, the Chief Industry Advisor for Public Sector at Qualtrics and co-chair of the ACT-IAC's COI (community of interest) on talent. She shares her extensive career journey, including her transformative experience in the former Soviet Union and her efforts to integrate human-centered design principles into governmental processes. She discusses the importance of collaboration between industry and government, explains human-...
In this episode of The Buzz, expert guests delve into a new white paper by the ACT-IAC Health Community of Interest titled 'Digital Health Technologies in the Federal Health Research'. The discussion covers the intersection of technology, health, and research, particularly focusing on the use of wearables, mobile apps, and in-home monitors to enhance clinical and analytic research. Key speakers include leaders from academia, government, and industry who share insights on the collaborative eff...
In this keynote and fireside chat, Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) discusses his vision and efforts for making America's children and families healthier. Gradison highlights the President's priorities on efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting low-income families. He discusses the importance of job opportunities and family stability as fundamental principles guiding ACF's initiatives. The conversation also extends to the crit...
In this episode, Angela Wilson from Alpha Omega introduces the keynote speaker, Colonel Kris Saling, a US Army officer and talent strategist. Colonel Saling shares insights into her work modernizing workforce strategy, integrating AI into talent systems, and building human-centered solutions for the future of defense. The conversation covers the role of AI in reshaping the workforce, the importance of data literacy, and the Department of Defense's initiatives in health and wellness. The talk ...
In this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez delves into the professional journey of Eric Ritz, a mid-career professional working with Accenture Federal Services for 15 years. Eric shares his experiences before, during, and after participating in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Voyagers Program. The discussion covers the program's impact on his career, including the valuable lessons learned, skills acquired, and the supportive network of mentors and peers he engaged with...
Insights from the Emerging Tech Demo Day at the Carahsoft Conference and Collaboration Center in Reston, Virginia. Joined by Warren Miller, Corporate Chief Architect at Next Phase Solutions, and Lisa Wolff, the President and CEO, the episode delves into the innovative technologies showcased and their applications in government and commercial sectors. Key topics include data fragmentation solutions with Foresight 360 and the impact of artificial intelligence on future tech landscapes. Hear abo...
The Integrated Value Network (IVN), a transformative tool for effective governance. Joined by guests Basil White, a senior informaticist, and Beth Martin, a user experience and digital services expert, the discussion highlights the significance of IVN in mapping complex government interactions. The conversation covers their experiences, the practical applications of IVN, and the innovative mindset required for future tech leaders. This episode offers a rich exploration of how IVN aims to revo...
We are still live at the Emerging Tech and Innovation Conference, talking with amazing folks, like, Elizabeth McNamara, Health IT Innovation Officer at Next Phase Solutions Services, Virginia Huth a 30-year civil servant who is now CEO of Vanalytix, and Basil White, Senior Informaticist. Discussions revolve around the importance of innovation in public health, the application of AI in healthcare, and efforts to streamline federal policies and grant opportunities. The episode also explores car...
In this episode of The Buzz, we broadcast live from the 2025 Emerging Tech and Innovation Conference, featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders like Destinie Harris from Maximus, Jeff Mercurio from OnPoint Consulting, and Ratima Katari from ICF. Destinie discusses Maximus' Total Experience Management (TXM) solution and her journey in tech, while Jeff shares insights on OnPoint’s contributions to cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Ratima talks about her extensive experien...
*NEW EDIT* In this episode, panelists from industry share their strategies and experiences for improving contact center operations. The session is moderated by Crystal Philcox, a former federal executive at GSA and IRS. Topics discussed include the importance of customer feedback, leveraging AI and analytics for better customer interactions, proactive support strategies, and empowering employees for better performance. Facilitator: Martha Dorris, Dorris Consulting International Moderato...
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