The Buzz with ACT-IAC

Latest Episodes:

Building Collaboration in Government: Insights with Acquisition COI Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Buzz, Scott Simpson, the acquisition COI Government chair at ACT-IAC, shares his unexpected journey into the governmental acquisition field. We delve deep into Scott's experiences, the crucial role contracts play, and the impactful mentorship that shaped his career. Scott discusses the significance of building a reliable network, the transformative power of true collaboration, and the exciting but challenging cultural shift in acquisition practices. This episode is rich with insights on overcoming fear, fostering teamwork, and leveraging events and emerging technologies for better outcomes.

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)

Fellows Speaker Series: Small Business Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Fellows-only panel focused on small business success in the GovCon space. Whether you're looking to grow, partner, or simply gain deeper insight into the current landscape, this episode is your chance to learn from leaders who have built, scaled, and sold small businesses in today’s evolving environment.

Featured Speakers:
Kim Hayes, KBR (Former Owner, The Ambit Group)
Pawla Ghaleb, CEO, PBG
Raza S. Latif, CEO, NuAxis
Janis Garcia Keating, CEO/President, Wilco Group

Moderated by: Mitzi Mead, CEO/President, Anakim Consulting

The conversation highlighted the importance of trusting one's intuition, building strong banking relationships, and the emotional toll of significant business decisions. Despite the hardships, every panelist affirmed they would choose to start their businesses again, pointing to the fulfilling aspects of entrepreneurship.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Leadership and Collaboration Strategies in a Hybrid World Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Buzz podcast by ACT IAC, the focus is on our Voyagers program, a leadership development initiative aimed at emerging leaders across federal government and industry. We get to talk with Ankur Saini, CTO at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Robert Turman, Director of Consulting and Delivery at CGI Federal. They discuss their paths to leadership, the vital role of creativity and adaptability, and how participation in ACT-IAC's programs has shaped their careers. The episode also highlights the importance of professional development programs and concludes with the game 'Acronym Wars.'

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

ICYMI: Closing Keynote - AI Acquisition Forum 2025 Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this final keynote, Jeff Sage, Director of Enterprise Service and Analysis Division at NASA's Office of Procurement, discusses the integration of AI in NASA's procurement processes. Introduced by Andrew McAllister, Jeff elaborates on NASA's historical and current use of AI, particularly focusing on its role in optimizing procurement operations amid workforce challenges. He shares practical AI applications like the statement of work generator that significantly enhances efficiency. Jeff also talks about the cultural and operational shifts needed for successful AI implementation, including training in prompt engineering and maintaining human oversight to mitigate biases. The session emphasizes that while AI is a powerful tool, it requires human expertise to fully leverage its potential.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

ICYMI: Enabling the Workforce to Capitalize on the AI Opportunity Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

This episode features a panel discussion on the role of AI in workforce development within federal agencies at the AI Acquisition Forum 2025. Led by David Vennergrund, Vice President for AI at GDIT, the panel includes distinguished guests: Andrea Brandon from the US Department of the Interior, Florence Kasule from the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, and Wole Moses, Chief AI Officer at Microsoft’s federal civilian division. The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of AI, focusing on training, innovation, and integrating AI across various federal roles. They also discuss practical strategies for implementing AI, such as sandbox environments and community-driven initiatives.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Human-Centered Design in Government: COI's Journey from the former Soviet Union to Qualtrics Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez speaks with Sydney Heimbrock, the Chief Industry Advisor for Public Sector at Qualtrics and co-chair of the ACT-IAC's COI (community of interest) on talent. She shares her extensive career journey, including her transformative experience in the former Soviet Union and her efforts to integrate human-centered design principles into governmental processes. She discusses the importance of collaboration between industry and government, explains human-centered design, and explores the potential impact of AI on federal talent pipelines. Heimbrock emphasizes the value of public service and encourages the next generation of innovators to consider careers in government.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

Exploring Digital Health Technologies in Federal Research Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Buzz, expert guests delve into a new white paper by the ACT-IAC Health Community of Interest titled 'Digital Health Technologies in the Federal Health Research'. The discussion covers the intersection of technology, health, and research, particularly focusing on the use of wearables, mobile apps, and in-home monitors to enhance clinical and analytic research. Key speakers include leaders from academia, government, and industry who share insights on the collaborative efforts required to integrate digital health technologies into research, as well as the future applications and challenges in this evolving field. The episode also highlights the significant impact of digital health technologies on large-scale research programs like the National Institutes of Health's 'All of Us' research initiative.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

ICYMI: Health Innovation Keynote Fireside Chat Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In this keynote and fireside chat, Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) discusses his vision and efforts for making America's children and families healthier. Gradison highlights the President's priorities on efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting low-income families. He discusses the importance of job opportunities and family stability as fundamental principles guiding ACF's initiatives. The conversation also extends to the critical role of partnerships, leveraging technology, utilizing AI, improving data sharing, and innovative practices across federal, state, and local levels to enhance human services delivery and outcomes. Gradison emphasizes practical solutions and successful models, like those in Allegheny County, emphasizing the tailored approach needed to address diverse community needs effectively.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

ICYMI: Health Innovation Summit Closing Keynote Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Angela Wilson from Alpha Omega introduces the keynote speaker, Colonel Kris Saling, a US Army officer and talent strategist. Colonel Saling shares insights into her work modernizing workforce strategy, integrating AI into talent systems, and building human-centered solutions for the future of defense. The conversation covers the role of AI in reshaping the workforce, the importance of data literacy, and the Department of Defense's initiatives in health and wellness. The talk also delves into the challenges of fostering innovation within hierarchical organizations and the need for adaptive business processes when implementing new technologies.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

From Engineering to Federal Contracting: A Mid-Career Voyage Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez delves into the professional journey of Eric Ritz, a mid-career professional working with Accenture Federal Services for 15 years. Eric shares his experiences before, during, and after participating in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Voyagers Program. The discussion covers the program's impact on his career, including the valuable lessons learned, skills acquired, and the supportive network of mentors and peers he engaged with. Eric emphasizes the significance of understanding perspectives from both industry and government sides and highlights the pivotal experiences that enriched his professional growth. Listeners are encouraged to consider taking part in ACT-IAC's programs to benefit from similar transformative experiences.

Agile Product Discovery Course | ACT-IAC

Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IAC