What Sets Engage Leaders Apart? 

Engage leaders don’t all look alike, work for the same types of organizations, or contribute in the same ways. But there are characteristics that consistently distinguish the leaders their peers identify as making a meaningful impact. 

Nominees are evaluated using six core criteria: 

• Open Communication: They share knowledge, insights, and lessons learned because they understand that informed communities are stronger communities. 
• Mission-Focused Thinking: They look beyond their own organization’s interests, keeping the Federal mission and the communities being served at the center of their thinking. 
• Reliable Partnership: They build trust through collaboration, accountability, humility, and follow-through. They are the people others want at the table when something important needs to get done. 
• Community Presence: They show up and contribute. Through events, working groups, mentorship, introductions, or everyday engagement, they invest in strengthening the community around them. 
• Perspective-Seeking: They actively seek out different experiences, expertise, and points of view, recognizing that better understanding leads to better decisions and better outcomes. 
• Innovation-Minded: They are willing to challenge assumptions, explore new technologies and approaches, and help their organizations and communities adapt to what comes next. 

Nominated by Peers. Selected by Peers. 

This is central to what makes Engage meaningful. Engage leaders are nominated by people who see their impact firsthand and selected through a peer review process using the criteria above. Recognition isn’t based on title, company size, revenue, or simply being highly visible. It reflects the broader reputation a leader has earned through how they participate, contribute, collaborate, and help others succeed. 

Being recognized as an Engage leader means your peers have noticed how you show up and the difference you make. That’s what it means to Engage. #engagefedgov 

Who Are We Missing? 

Know a leader who embodies what it means to Engage? Tell us. 

Engage nominations are open year-round. If you know someone who consistently contributes, connects, shares, supports others, and helps strengthen the Federal community around them, we want to hear about them. Nominations are regularly shared with our peer reviewers for consideration, allowing Engage recognition to continue to grow as deserving leaders emerge. 

To nominate someone, send their name, organization, role, and a few sentences about why you believe they embody the Engage criteria to support@orangeslices.ai.  

Want to help review nominations? We’re always interested in hearing from respected members of the Federal community who would like to contribute to the peer review process. Reach out to the same address and let us know you’re interested.  

There is no deadline and no need to wait for the next list. If someone is #doingitright, nominate them. 

Previous Engage Leaders

2027

• Meet the 2027 Engage Fed Health 150: Leaders Moving Federal Health Forward
• Meet the 2027 Engage National Security 150: Leaders Strengthening the Community Behind the Mission 

2026 

• Meet the 2026 Engage Fed Health 150: Where Connection Fuels Impact
• Meet the 2026 Engage Fed Citizen Services 150: Where Connection Fuels Impact
• Meet the 2026 Engage National Security And Enforcement 150: Where Connection Fuels Impact
• Meet the 2026 Engage Defense Innovation 150: Where Connection Fuels Impact

2025 

• Meet the 2025 Engage Fed Citizen Services 150: Driving Innovation Forward!
• Meet the 2025 Engage Fed Health 150: Driving Innovation Forward!
• Meet the 2025 Engage National Security 100: Driving Innovation Forward!

2024 

• Meet the 2024 Federal Health sector Honorees here.
• Meet the 2024 Engage Homeland and National Security sector Honorees here.
• Meet the 2024 Engage Federal Citizen Services sector Honorees here.
• Meet the 2024 Engage Federal Financials sector Honorees here.

2023 

• Meet the 2023 Engage FedGov Honorees here.