HSDF THE PODCAST

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From Information Sharing to Operational Integration Part 2 Jun 23, 2026

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Welcome to our “TUESDAY EDITION of HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode our panel will at why cyber threat intelligence sharing still fails to stop real-world breaches, especially for small organizations that lack the people to turn alerts into action. We map out what “collective defense” looks like when you connect government authorities, industry engineering muscle, and AI-powered defense without slowing everything down with bureaucracy.

Featuring:

Rich Baich, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, AT&T
Brigadier General Brandon Haynie, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Cyber Command
Vice Admiral T.J. White, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Chief, Texas Cyber Command (moderator)

This discussion took place June 10th, 2026, at HSDF’s Cyber Symposium

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From Information Sharing to Operational Integration Part 1 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to our “TUESDAY EDITION of HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

Featuring:

Rich Baich, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, AT&T
Brigadier General Brandon Haynie, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Cyber Command
Vice Admiral T.J. White, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Chief, Texas Cyber Command (moderator)

This discussion took place June 10th, 2026, at HSDF’s Cyber Symposium

Quantum Tools for Government Optimization Part 1 Apr 16, 2026

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HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode, We trace quantum from strange physics to useful tools, highlighting where annealing delivers value now and where sensing may outpace computing. We show how to scope a pilot, measure speed to solution, and decide when classical, AI, and quantum work best together.

Featuring:

- Prachi Vakharia, President, Washington Institute for STEM, Entrepreneurship and Research

- Allison Schwartz, Global Government Relations & Public Affairs Leader, D-Wave

- Dr. Reggie Brothers, Operating Partner, AE Industrial (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Quantum Tools for Government Optimization Part 2 Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode, We show how quantum becomes useful now through cloud access, Python-based tools, and focused pilots in logistics, materials, sensing, and security. We balance realism on timelines with concrete wins, from port optimization to post-quantum crypto planning and AI synergies.

Featuring:

- Prachi Vakharia, President, Washington Institute for STEM, Entrepreneurship and Research

- Allison Schwartz, Global Government Relations & Public Affairs Leader, D-Wave

- Dr. Reggie Brothers, Operating Partner, AE Industrial (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Outcome Over Process: Transforming DHS Procurement for Efficiency and Innovation Part 1 Apr 07, 2026

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HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum
In this episode, We unpack how DHS leaders move from compliance-heavy buying to outcome-based contracting that delivers speed, clarity, and measurable results. Coast Guard, TSA, and CBP share practical ways to define success, choose the right contract type, and adjust incentives without slowing the mission.
Featuring:
- Julie Koo, Chief of the Contracting Office for the Border Enforcement and Administration Portfolio, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Denise Morales, Head of Contracting Activity, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Shreena Morris, Head of Contracting Activity, U.S. Coast Guard
- Sarah Green, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, DHS (moderator)
This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Outcome Over Process: Transforming DHS Procurement for Efficiency and Innovation Part 2 Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum
In this episode, We map a practical path to outcome-based contracting that trades complexity for clarity and speed. We unpack modular awards, the skills procurement teams need, how reform opens new options, and how industry can help us rewire habits for better results.
Featuring:
- Julie Koo, Chief of the Contracting Office for the Border Enforcement and Administration Portfolio, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Denise Morales, Head of Contracting Activity, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Shreena Morris, Head of Contracting Activity, U.S. Coast Guard
- Sarah Green, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, DHS (moderator)
This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Transformative Al & Technology for Decisionmaking Part 1 Mar 31, 2026

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HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum
In this episode, we explore how the Coast Guard turned AI from promise to practice by embedding governance in architecture, treating data as a product, and keeping humans accountable at critical decisions. Real use cases in HR and audits show faster, fairer outcomes with measurable gains.
Featuring:
- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard
- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)
This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Transformative Al & Technology for Decisionmaking Part 2 Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode we take you inside the shift from siloed spreadsheets to governed data products, and show how that foundation lets AI cut hours from planning and reporting without replacing human judgment. Along the way, we break down the hidden process gaps that look like “bad data,” the cultural resistance that slows sharing, and the simple moves—like quality trend monitoring and clear ownership—that unlock momentum.

Featuring:

- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard

- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement

- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Transformative Al & Technology for Decisionmaking Part 3 Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum
In this episode, we lay out a practical path to trusted AI in government: build a mission fabric that captures operational context, invest in shared data architecture, and measure decision quality through iterative delivery. We also tackle brittle models, multimodal sensing, and smarter procurement that values outcomes over promises.
Featuring:
- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard
- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)
This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Safer, Smarter, Faster: The Future of Travel Part 1 Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

HSDF would love to hear from you!

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode, We map how biometrics, mobile identity, and open architectures are reshaping travel from check-in to border crossing, and how partnerships prepare the system for the World Cup and beyond. CBP, TSA, and State share concrete steps toward faster, safer, and more predictable journeys.

Featuring:

- Tim Ahrens, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Team Lead, Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, Department of State

- Matt Davies, Executive Director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection

- Balaji Subramaniam, Acting Chief Information Officer, Transportation Security Administration

- Aaron Silverman, Strategy Leader, Deloitte

- Luke McCormack, Former CIO, Departments of Homeland Security and Justice (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

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