The Buzz with ACT-IAC

In this brief New Year episode host Yoanna Baez extends a heartfelt thank you to the federal community for their unwavering commitment and quiet perseverance over the past year. Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.or...

This episode reviews the standout moments in government innovation and leadership from 2025. Key themes include the humanization of technology, the evolution of government contact centers, reimagined leadership in a hybrid world, the integration of AI in procurement, and the future of value creation through digital networks. Discussions highlight the importance of mission-first thinking, leveragin...

Keynote event featuring Dustin Goetz, Acting Chief Information Officer for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The event covers crucial topics such as modernization strategies, asset inventory, data standardization, and cybersecurity integration. Goetz emphasizes the importance of seamless cybersecurity integration, automating tier one security operations, and preparing for evolving...

An amazing panel discussion from a recent ACT-IAC CX SUMMIT, focuses on the synergy between financial management and service delivery. Moderated by Steven Boberski, with experts Clarence Crawford, Thomas Coleman, and Sarah Cunningham. They explore the role of CFOs in enhancing customer experience, strategic advising, and leveraging technology, like AI, for efficiency. They also discuss challenges...

Angy Peterson explore the transformation of customer experience, with highlights from a recent ACT-IAC CX Summit event. Angy Peterson, VP of the Experience Group at Granicus, shares her journey from newspaper design to helping government agencies build digital-first services. She delves into the potential of AI in government services, reflecting on how it can reshape experiences from convenience t...

In this episode we're in conversation with Manjit Singh, the president and founder of Agilious and an instructor at ACT-IAC Academy. They delve into the importance of agile frameworks, particularly scrum, for government IT acquisition and modernization. Manjit shares his extensive technical background and the significance of scrum mastery in managing projects efficiently. He discusses the rol...

We get to talk to Ken Adams, the Chief Strategy Officer at Foxhole Technology and the long-serving Industry Chair of the ACT-IAC Cyber COI. Ken shares his career journey, insights into the collaborative dynamics within the gov tech community, and the importance of continuity and professional relationships. Ken highlights the significance of volunteer work, the impact of ACT-IAC projects like &apos...

In this engaging session, Steve Boberski, Public Sector Chief Technology Officer for Genesys, introduces James McCament, the first Digital Transformation Officer for CBP. The discussion highlights James' extensive experience in federal service and his role in leveraging digital innovations and AI for enhancing CBP operations. James outlines his strategy for identifying and automating administ...

In this insightful fireside chat, Joe Adamo from SAIC and Dr. Kelly Fletcher, Chief Information Officer of the United States Department of State, discuss the Department's ongoing digital modernization efforts and the role of technology in global diplomacy. Dr. Fletcher highlights the State Department's unique mission, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust communication network...

We get to talk with Lee Becker, Senior VP and Executive Advisor for Public Sector and Healthcare at Medallia, to discuss the evolving role of customer experience (CX) in government. Lee shares his journey from being a Navy corpsman to becoming an advocate for improving government services through technology. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government and industry, the challen...

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 blockch...

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...

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 de...

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 f...

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 th...

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 collabo...

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...

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 ro...

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...

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 O...

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 pro...

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 s...

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 fami...

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 importanc...

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, includin...