In a market where pressure is rising, margins are tightening, and expectations are shifting, how are the CEOs who are actually winning adapting in real time? That was the focus of a recent OrangeSlices CEO Perspectives podcast, bringing together three exceptional leaders for a candid, no-filter conversation on what it takes to compete and lead in today’s evolving federal landscape.
Joining the discussion were Leah Sanders, CEO of D&G Solutions, Naveen Krishnamurthy, CEO of RIVA Solutions, and Tim Borchert, CEO of Tria Federal, three organizations recently named 2026 Elev8[X] finalists out of more than 1,200 companies evaluated across the GovCon ecosystem. These are companies with strong track records supporting critical missions, from logistics and supply chain across defense and homeland security, to advanced digital transformation, to technology solutions that directly impact the health and safety of veterans, service members, and civilians.
The conversation was moderated by Eric Mothershead, Senior Partner at The Baldwin Group, a trusted partner to many leading GovCon firms. Baldwin’s perspective on workforce strategy, benefits, and organizational performance helped frame a discussion that stayed grounded in the realities CEOs are facing today.
Together, the group unpacked how they are evolving their organizations to stay competitive, from operational shifts and changing leadership expectations, to redefining what strong strategic partnerships look like in a more scrutinized market. They also explored how to balance investment in innovation, including AI and automation, with the need for stronger margin discipline, while offering candid perspectives on the harder shifts the industry is not yet talking about enough.
This is a real conversation among leaders who are in it right now. If you are a CEO or senior executive looking for practical insight from peers who are navigating the same pressures while continuing to perform, this is one you will want to hear.
Connect with our guests and moderator: Leah Sanders | D&G Solutions Naveen Krishnamurthy | RIVA Solutions Tim Borchert | Tria Federal Eric Mothershead | The Baldwin Group Click here to listen on Spotify. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.
