As we enter a pivotal year for the federal landscape, we are thrilled to announce the 2025 Engage National Security 100 Honorees. These leaders in IT and consulting, from both industry and government, are set to spearhead innovation. With a new Administration on the horizon, this esteemed group of technology and business consulting professionals is ready to propel the critical missions of National Security agencies forward. The nomination process was incredibly competitive, with hundreds of entries evaluated. Each honoree was nominated and selected by their peers, celebrating their outstanding contributions to the field.
This year’s outstanding leaders are:
- Chris Arbore, President, Disruptive Solutions
- Jennifer Atala, Senior Director for Artificial Intelligence, OPE, Department of Homeland Security
- Hemant Baidwan, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Homeland Security
- Karthik Balasubramanian, President/Chief Executive Officer, Karthik Consulting
- Gary Barber, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Department of Homeland Security, LMI
- Shane Barney, Chief Information Security Officer, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
- Donald Bauer, Chief Technology Officer, Global Talent Management (HR), Department of State
- Suman Biswas, Founder, Niyam IT
- Robert Borka, Deputy Executive Director PARM (Program Accountability and Risk Management), Department of Homeland Security
- Olivia Trivisani Bowker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Amivero
- Michael Boyce, Director, AI Corps, Department of Homeland Security
- William Braniff, Director, Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, Department of Homeland Security
- Julie Brewer, Deputy Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security
- Chuck Brooks, President, Brooks Consulting International
- Rob Brown, Vice President of National Security Operations, Alpha Omega
- Darlene Bullock, Executive Director, OSDBU, Department of Homeland Security
- Lynn Ann Casey, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Arc Aspicio
- Srinivas Chennamaraja, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akira Technologies
- Brittany Chiang, Chief Executive Officer, Flatter
- Dana Chisnell, Acting Executive Director for Customer Experience, Department of Homeland Security, OCIO
- Chris Cole, Executive Vice President Strategic Accounts, Alpha Omega
- Michelle Constant, Chief Executive Officer, Constant Associates
- Robert Costello, Chief Information Officer, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Shannon Crocker, Director of Homeland Security Division, Microsoft
- Katherine Crompton, Director of Procurement Innovation Lab, Department of Homeland Security
- D.J. Dart, Chief Strategy Officer, INADEV
- Marshall DeMeritt, Managing Director, Synergy
- Jennifer Dougherty, Vice President, Strategic Growth, IntelliBridge
- Lisa Einstein, Chief AI Officer, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Brian Erickson, Deputy Director, DHS Presidential Transition Office, US Coast Guard
- Nina Ferraro, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland Security
- Jennifer Ferreira, Vice President, DHS, Maximus
- Aubrey Gainfort, Team Lead & Contracting Officer, Transportation Security Administration
- Sean Gilman, Vice President & General Manager, National Security, Unissant
- Andy Glaser, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Partner Forces
- Shashi Goli, Vice President, Federal and Civilian Sector, Navitas Business Consulting
- Michael Grace, Senior Vice President, MindPetal Software Solutions
- Matthew Graviss, Chief Data and AI Officer, Department of State
- Tim Hanes, Vice President, National Security Strategy, MetaPhase
- Chris Hartline, President & Chief Executive Officer, AVER
- Kendall Holbrook, Chief Executive Officer, Dev Technology Group
- Mike Horton, Vice President of National Security, ASRC Federal
- Pirooz Javan, Chief Technology Officer, Easy Dynamics
- Anu Jekal, Co-Founder/CEO, Data Surge
- Ryan Jennings, Chief Ventures Officer, Ardent
- Ann-Marie Johnson, Vice President, Federal Market Engagement, CGI Federal
- Satish Kolli, Chief Executive Officer, Centrifuge
- Chris Kraft, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, AI/Emerging Technology, Department of Homeland Security
- Ritesh Kumar, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Tarkik Solutions
- Randy Lange, Chief Executive Officer, Firebird AST
- David Larrimore, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Homeland Security
- Dr. Mark Lucas, D.C.S., Senior Advisor, Department of Homeland Security
- Martin Mackes, Chief Delivery Officer, Jefferson Consulting Group
- Sunil Madhugiri, Chief Technology Officer, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
- Kirk Macchiavello, Vice President & General Manager – National Security, Zolon Tech
- Namita Magoon, Founder and CEO, IT-Strat
- Abu Malik, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metric5
- Samidha Manu, Vice President, REI Systems
- Pierce McManus, Digital Storyteller, Department of State
- Brooke Mizener, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Homeland Security
- Brenna Murphy, Director- Vetting Programs, Enrollment Services & Vetting Programs, Transportation Security Administration
- Nitin Natarajan, Deputy Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Paula Osborn, Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer, Department of State
- Oren Oxman, President, Kurrent Logic
- Meikle Paschal, Program Manager for Robotic Process Automation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
- Dr. Bryan Pendleton, Chief Data Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security
- Jennifer Plozai, Deputy Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, U.S. Coast Guard
- Christine Podracky, Chief Executive Officer, Total Systems Technologies Corporation
- Troy Potter, Vice President, Client Delivery, Dignari
- Bill Pratt, Executive Director, Customer Relations, RELI Group
- Sandy Radesky, Associate Director of Vulnerability Management, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- William Randolph, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Think Acquisition
- Serena Reynolds, Vice President, OTHSolutions
- Ken Rogers, IT Comptroller & Chief Digital Strategist, US Department of State
- Donna Roy, Strategic Advisor, Guidehouse
- Kristin Ruiz, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Transportation Security Administration
- Phil Sahady, President, Chevo Consulting
- Mike Saliter, Executive Vice President, Steampunk
- Leah Sanders , Chief Executive Officer, D&G Support Services
- Sandra Oliver Schmidt, Deputy Director, Procurement Innovation Lab, Department of Homeland Security
- Chris Schwalm, Senior Vice President – Technology Services, US Public Sector, CVP
- Caroline Simmons, Deputy Branch Chief, Cybersecurity Division, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Scott Simpson, Digital Transformation Lead, Department of Homeland Security
- Dave Singer, Chief Strategy Officer, ITC Federal
- Shannon Marie Pitts Smith, Chief of Artificial Intelligence, US Coast Guard Intelligence
- Ben Smuthkochorn, Chief, Enterprise Operations Branch, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
- Al Sowers, Founder and President, OneZero Solutions
- Melissa Stefko, Deputy Executive Director, PPAE, Human Resources Management, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
- Jenny Stone, Founder and CEO, Partner Forces
- Matt Stratford, Chief Executive Officer, BridgePhase
- Jeffrey “Stu” Stuart, Branch Chief (GS-15) – C5ISC, Engineering Services Division, Application Services Branch, US Coast Guard
- Jason Tama, Commander, Cyber Command, US Coast Guard
- Kristina Tanasichuk, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Government Technology & Services Coalition and Executive Editor, HSToday
- Monica Taylor, Senior Innovation Coach, Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL), Department of Homeland Security
- Sarah Todd, Executive Director, Acquisition Policy and Legislation, Department of Homeland Security
- Anna Urman, Senior Advisor, Acquisition Policy, Department of State
- Karinda Washington, Executive Director, Social Impact & Campaigns (Senior Executive Service, Department of Homeland Security
- Jeremy Wilcox, Sr. Product Manager – CX Directorate, OCIO, Department of Homeland Security
- Laura Williams, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Services, Department of State
- Jennifer Wilson, Acting Division Chief, Service Strategy & Portfolio Management in Consular System & Technology, Department of State
- Courtney Winship, Bureau Chief Data Officer, Diplomatic Technology, Department of State
- David Yang, Senior Vice President, ICF
- Don Yeske, Director, National Security Cyber Division, Department of Homeland Security
- Michelle Zebrowski, Chief Data Officer, Customs and Border Protection
Congratulations to all of the honorees and thank you to all who participated in the process.
Identified below are Six Key Characteristics that Make up an Engage FedGov Leader
Exemplify Open Communication
Whether through speaking at events, sharing on open platforms such as LinkedIn, or writing executive insight pieces that offer advice and insight, the engaged leader shares their thought leadership and is open to making public what they know to serve the greater good.
Evidence of Mission Focus
An engaged leader understands their mission focus is not turned inward to their specific organization but instead looks outward, to their stakeholders. This means taking and receiving lessons learned from others serving the same or similar communities. It means finding ways to engage stakeholders, vendors, and potential partners, to drive collaborative solutions with the users’ needs in focus.
Execution as a Good Partner
Engaged leaders prefer not to do a power dance, across tables or in the public eye. Being open, transparent, and authentic in who they are and what they want to achieve, these leaders demonstrate they are good and reliable partners. Being a good partner, these leaders are clear in what they say, understand their role and the roles of those around them, and they execute according to that.
Engage with the Community
Whether through industry days, networking opportunities, written content or collaboration in working groups, the engaged leader is part of the discussion, attending events, and being accessible and available. The expression “a rising tide lifts many boats” reminds everyone of something engaged leaders know – that there are opportunities for everyone and we do better when we work together. Whether it is as a mentor, an advisor, a board member, or a panellist, these leaders are familiar names and faces.
Encourage Inclusivity
Leaders who see the bigger picture are often surrounded by people who represent that bigger picture. Engaged leaders surround themselves with people who support and challenge them, with people who come from diverse backgrounds and with varied experiences. Engaged leaders encourage discussion, not for its own sake, but because they want the ideas brought forth from their diverse and inclusive team.
Exemplify Innovation
Whether it is through technology, culture, mission or approach, leaders that succeed do not stand still. Innovation signifies life, implies thought and forward movement, and is critical as the world becomes increasingly complex and challenging. Engaged leaders understand this, ask for big ideas and seek solutions that are focused on driving their organizations forward.
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Meet the 2024 Engage FedGov Honorees here.
Meet the 2023 Engage FedGov Honorees here.
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I’m truly honored. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our incredible team at Amivero and our partners across the federal sector. Our work has always been driven by a mission to foster open communication, transparency, and collaboration between government and industry. Through transparency and inclusive dialogue, we will drive meaningful innovation that truly serves our nation’s citizens.
This amazing recognition reinforces my commitment to being a good partner, supporting our govcon community, and continuously pushing for innovative solutions. Thank you OrangeSlices.ai for this affirmation; and, to all Amiverians and our partners who make our work possible – Let’s Go! Let’s continue to drive positive change together.