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Latest Episodes:

Leadership at Scale: Gary Washington on Modernizing Federal IT and Managing Change Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Proud to have Gary Washington on today's show. He is a former Air Force member, longtime federal IT leader, and former USDA CIO (eight years), now Chief Strategy Officer at ACT-IAC. Washington recounts his career across agencies including Treasury, HHS, FDA, OMB, and USDA, and explains how military discipline shaped his emphasis on documented plans, accountability, and trust. He discusses common resistance to change in large organizations, USDA’s shift from decentralization toward centralization, and implementing the White House-driven IT Modernization Centers of Excellence through inclusive, business-driven governance, performance measurement, workforce education, RPA training, and results such as deactivating 37 data centers and consolidating networks and end-user support.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

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Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

ICYMI: Unifying Data to Build Customer Profiles Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

A panel discussion from CX Summit event, on unifying customer data to deliver seamless service across channels. Panelists describe diverse customers and the consequences of siloed data, including repeated identity verification, poor experiences, and high stakes errors like incorrect benefit payments or misdirected medications.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

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ICYMI: The Role of Humans in an Increasingly AI-Centric Service World Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

CX Summit panel discussion on the role of humans in AI-driven service delivery, defining “human in the loop” (active review in workflows) versus “human on the loop” (oversight and intervention when flagged). Panelist also discuss adoption approaches, emphasizing employee trust, governance, readiness, and change management.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Closing the Gap Between Curiosity and ROI: AI Training Series Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Stephanie Hubka, founder of Protos Learning, who has spent 20 years designing human-centered learning strategies and has trained leaders in 50+ countries, is working with ACT-IAC on the business value of AI training for non-technical leaders. Hubka argues organizations often treat AI as either a magic fix or an existential threat, when it is better understood as a capability amplifier that requires humans in the loop. She emphasizes anchoring AI training to real work and quick wins, using everyday language instead of jargon, and building data literacy without turning everyone into analysts. Successful adoption depends on psychological safety, experimentation, and trust, with learning teams acting as strategic partners who understand the business. She shares how ChatGPT quickly drafted an outline but failed to create a quality, human training experience, reinforcing that transformation is ultimately about people. Stephanie's passion for training is equaled only by her love of exploring the globe; an avid traveler, she has visited all 7 continents, 70 countries, and all 50 US states.

AI Training Series: From Turing to ChatGPT: The Evolution of AI | ACT-IAC

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Government Contracting Success: Shak McCants on Leadership Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Shak McCants, the newly appointed 2027 Voyagers Chair and CEO of MacMore. Shak shares her inspiring journey from a part-time office manager to CEO, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, hard work, and a commitment to people. She discusses her vision for the Voyagers program, her career growth, and valuable insights into building lasting government and industry relationships. Shak's candid perspective on maintaining company culture, flexible leadership, and creating job opportunities makes for an enlightening discussion perfect for anyone navigating the GovCon space. As she prepares to lead the new Voyagers class, Shak aims to instill the qualities of being a flexible change agent in upcoming leaders.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

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ICYMI: AI Unleashed Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

This episode features a panel discussion from ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC event focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The session emphasizes aligning AI initiatives with mission objectives, rigorous testing, and governance to ensure public trust and operational success.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

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Inside the ACT-IAC Associates Program: Growth, Networks, and New Horizons Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we continue our series on the Associates Program with a guest appearance from Jason Pan, a business development analyst at Dev Technology Group. Jason shares his journey from recently graduating college to working full-time in government contracting, and his experiences going through the Associates Program. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced, the influence of mentors, and the pivotal moments that defined his professional growth. Jason also highlights the value of networking and collaboration within the program, and his key takeaways that have influenced his career. The episode concludes with a fun game of 'Acronym Wars' and insights into the supportive community within ACT-IAC.

Professional Development | ACT-IAC

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ICYMI: Road to OneGov Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

This episode features a panel discussion from ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC event focused on GSA's One Gov initiative, aiming to modernize and centralize IT procurement across the federal government. One Gov aims to eliminate waste, ensure better value, and enhance cybersecurity by unifying the government’s IT procurement process. The session also covers practical aspects such as the role of the Multiple Award Schedule, the tiered engagement model for vendors, and the roadmap for future expansion.

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ICYMI: Acquisition Alchemy Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

This episode features a panel discussion from ACT-IAC's Imagine Nation ELC event focused on modernizing government acquisition processes, overcoming bureaucratic inertia, and fostering innovation within the constraints of federal regulations. They explore the significance of connecting to mission, embracing new procurement methods like OTs and CSOs, and the importance of challenging assumptions and fostering a culture of infinite learning and innovation.

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Real Leadership in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Melvin Brown II Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

We are honored to chat with Melvin Brown II, Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at Contract Administration Network International (CANI), LLC, to discuss authentic leadership amidst AI advancements. Melvin shares insights on effective leadership, addressing technology and culture gaps, and the significance of judgment and adaptability. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting decision-making skills, ethical practices, and the challenges of modernization in both federal and industry settings. Melvin emphasizes the shift needed from technology focus to capability building in people and underscores the need for outcomes-based rewards.

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