Episodit

  • In this episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Abby Cassell, a business development manager at ABS Consulting and an alumna of the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Abby discusses her career journey from graduating college in 2020, navigating business development during the COVID-19 pandemic, to joining ABS Consulting in 2022. She highlights her experiences in the Professional Development Associates Program, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons and skills acquired, particularly in networking and negotiation. Abby emphasizes the importance of mentorship and leadership skills gained during the program, which have significantly influenced her career.

    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz
    00:29 Meet Abby Cassell
    01:03 Career Beginnings and Challenges
    02:10 Joining ABS Consulting
    03:45 Professional Development Program Insights
    11:19 Impact of the Program
    16:37 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • In this episode of The Buzz from ACT IAC, host Yohanna Baez dives into the career journey of Olivia Henry, an early career professional who participated in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Olivia discusses her transition from nursing to a leadership role in business operations, fueled by the support and skills gained from the program. The conversation covers Olivia's day-to-day responsibilities, key learnings from the program, the importance of networking, and her promotion to Director of Business Operations. Olivia also shares the impact of mentorship and the practical skills she implemented immediately.

    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz from ACT IAC

    00:28 Interview with Olivia Henry: Early Career and Nursing

    02:51 Transition to Business Operations

    05:12 Joining the ACT IAC Professional Development Associates Program

    08:16 Experiences and Learnings from the Program

    19:40 Impact of the Program on Career and Future Plans

    27:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement



    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • Puuttuva jakso?

    Paina tästä ja päivitä feedi.

  • We have a different host for this special episode of The Buzz, Pete Tseronis, founder of Dots and Bridges. He interviews Sarah Hughes, Director of Professional Development at ACT-IAC. They discuss Sarah's diverse career across industries, networking, mentorship, and career growth. Sarah shares insights from her journey, including her work with sports teams, transitions to government, and contributions to professional development. The episode also highlights the importance of building strong communities and explores various ACT-IAC programs designed to enhance professional development. Key themes include adaptability, the influence of technology on government, and the power of mentorship.


    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz Special Episode
    00:38 Meet Pete Tseronis and Sarah Hughes
    02:45 Sarah Hughes' Career Journey
    06:24 Transition to Government Contracting
    12:50 Building Trust and Community in GovCon
    16:15 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference
    16:55 Joining ACT-IAC: A Personal Journey
    18:25 Professional Development at ACT-IAC
    19:29 The Academy: Educational Training and Leadership Skills
    22:30 Programs Overview: Associates, Voyagers, and Partners
    27:56 Future Vision and Collaborative Efforts
    31:00 Final Thoughts and Homework


    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • On our next episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Paige Kowahl, a senior consultant at CGI Federal, about her experiences in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Paige shares her educational and career journey, which began with a pivot from chemistry to computer information systems, leading her to CGI. She discusses how the program helped her overcome social anxiety, gain confidence, and develop essential skills through coaching and collaborative projects. Paige highlights the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and offers advice to potential program participants.

    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz from ACT-IAC
    00:30 Meet Paige Kowahl: From Chemistry to IT
    00:54 Joining CGI and Early Career Experiences
    02:46 Taking the Leap: Joining the Professional Development Program
    03:53 Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Confidence
    05:01 The Impact of Coaching and Team Projects
    11:53 Post-Program Reflections and Career Growth
    16:43 Fun and Games: Acronym Wars
    19:04 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Leader

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • In this episode, Yohanna Baez hosts Mackenzie (Kenzie) Downes, a data and AI seller at IBM, to discuss her journey through the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Kenzie shares her background, how she was inspired by her mother to pursue sales, and her experience working at IBM. She dives into her motivations for joining the ACT-IAC program, the skills and network she gained, and specific moments that shaped her career.

    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz from ACT-IAC
    00:31 Meet Kenzie Downes: Early Career Insights
    01:29 Journey into Sales and IBM
    03:32 Daily Life and Responsibilities at IBM
    05:44 Joining the ACT-IAC Professional Development Program
    07:00 Experiences and Learnings from the Program
    14:03 Impact of the Program on Career Trajectory
    17:09 Encouragement for Future Applicants
    19:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • In this episode of The Buzz from ACT-IAC, host Yohanna Baez interviews Ryan Cloghessy, a capture manager at Leidos, about his journey through the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. They discuss Ryan's career trajectory, the impact of the program on his professional growth, and the valuable lessons and experiences he gained. Ryan shares his initial challenges, his role at Leidos, insights from his mentor, and the confidence he has developed in the GovCon industry. The conversation also includes a fun segment called 'Acronym Wars' and encourages listeners to explore ACT-IAC's professional development opportunities.

    00:00 Introduction to The Buzz from ACT-IAC

    00:30 Meet Ryan Klossy: Career Background and Current Role

    02:59 Journey to GovCon: From Aviation to Government Contracting

    06:00 Experiences and Insights from the ACT-IAC Program

    11:33 Impact of the Program on Career Path

    15:51 Acronym Wars: Fun and Games

    16:59 Final Thoughts and Recommendations



    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • In this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez dives into the journeys of early career professionals in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Associates Program. Senior Digital Transformation Consultant John Rehm from the Wilco Group shares his story, from his communications background to his current role in federal contracting. John discusses the invaluable skills he acquired, the challenges he overcame, and the supportive mentorship he received. He also highlights the significance of building a network and the profound impact the program had on his career. The episode wraps up with a fun game of acronym wars, showcasing the everyday jargon in government and contracting.

    00:00 Introduction to the Buzz from ACT IAC

    00:33 Meet John Rehm: Digital Transformation Consultant

    01:52 John's Career Journey and Early Challenges

    04:57 Joining the ACT IAC Professional Development Program

    08:03 First Impressions and Growth Areas

    10:59 Pivotal Moments and Key Learnings

    12:49 Mentorship and Overcoming Challenges

    14:04 Applying New Skills in the Workplace

    15:54 Networking and Future Aspirations

    18:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    25:11 Fun with Acronym Wars

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a conversation with Grafton deButts from Strongbridge LLC and the ACT-IAC Department of Transportation Federal Insights Exchange (FIE), as they sit down with Brian Cronin, the forward-thinking Director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office at the U-S Department of Transportation. Together, they explore the world of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology—a game-changer poised to redefine road safety, mobility, and sustainability on a global scale.

    Brian shares his expert perspective on how V2X enables seamless communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and road users, paving the way for smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation systems. From the future of connected mobility to its far-reaching economic, societal, and environmental implications, this discussion is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • Welcome Yohanna Baez: A Different Vision for The Buzz

    In this special episode of The Buzz, new host Yohanna Baez introduces herself and outlines her vision for the podcast's future. She pays tribute to previous host, Colin Larsen, and discusses her plans to explore broader perspectives, amplify diverse voices, and provide actionable insights. Yohanna also shares her excitement about upcoming episodes focusing on new technologies and leadership through change. Listeners are encouraged to offer feedback and suggestions, as Yohanna aims to bring her background in storytelling, creativity, and advocacy to The Buzz.

    00:00 Welcome to The Buzz!

    00:43 Honoring the Past Host

    01:03 Vision for the Future

    01:22 What to Expect

    01:38 Diverse Voices and Actionable Insights

    02:06 New Style and Fun

    02:24 Upcoming Episodes

    02:50 Meet Your New Host

    03:13 Closing Remarks

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a session from our Vision 2030 event.


    In this opening keynote session, Alexis Bonnell, the Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory shares her insights on how government agencies can leverage technology to drive innovation and better serve the public. She discusses the importance of adopting a human-centered approach to digital transformation, the role of AI in modernizing government services, and the challenges and opportunities that come with implementing new technologies.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz is saying goodbye to Colin Larsen, who has produced and hosted the show since it began in the Spring of 2021.

    Colin would like to profoundly thank ACT-IAC and the listeners for their support through these more than 150 episodes.

    Don't worry, The Buzz will continue! As always, stay tuned for more from ACT-IAC.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • The Buzz is going on a short hiatus this summer, so our releases will be less regular than usual.

    In the meantime, we'll be replaying some of our favorite episodes from the past year or so. This week, we're revisiting a conversation we had with Donald Moynihan, Chair of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, about the evolution and function of the civil service in the US.

    This episode is more relevant than ever given the increasing politicization of civilian agencies, as it reminds us what's at stake when they can't operate effectively.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • The Buzz is going on a short hiatus this summer, so our releases will be less regular than usual.

    In the meantime, we'll be replaying some of our favorite episodes from the past year or so. This week, we're revisiting a conversation we had with James Salzman and J.B. Ruhl, environmental law professors at UCLA and Vanderbilt, respectively.

    They are the authors of The Greens' Dilemma, a framework for understanding how our regulatory regime is inhibiting our capacity to confront resilient infrastructure, what the stakes are, and what to do about it. The Biden administration has made both infrastructure investment andresilient infrastructure mitigation top priorities, and this issue sits at the intersection of both of those. Understanding it is key to understanding our path to decarbonization and ensuring this transition is successful.

    Read The Greens' Dilemma: Building Tomorrow's Infrastructure Today

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a keynote session from our 2024 Health Innovation Summit.

    In this fireside chat, Kevin Seeley, VP of Strategic Programs for Military Health at GDIT, sits down with Naomi Escoffery, Chief Accelerator Officer at the Defense Health Agency. Together, they discuss efforts towards modernization and innovation to improve healthcare outcomes for active-duty US military personnel and their families.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference.

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for developing and issuing guidance around the standards and measurements we use in all kinds of technological development in the US. In the modern era, this includes Artificial Intelligence. Since the release of the AI Executive Order in October 2023, NIST has issued four draft publications intended to help improve the safety, security and trustworthiness of AI systems.

    In this fireside chat, Raymond Holder, VP for Digital Growth at Maximus Federal, talks more about this work with Dr. Charles Romine, Associate Director for Laboratory Programs at NIST.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • Last week, ACT-IAC held its 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference in Cambridge, MD, where leaders and experts from across government, industry and academia met to discuss how government can harness new technology to improve mission outcomes.

    Our conference kicked off with a keynote presentation and fireside chat with Arun Gupta, a venture capitalist, lecturer at Stanford University, adjunct Entrepreneurship Professor at Georgetown University, and author of Venture Meets Mission.

    Arun is joined during the fireside chat portion of this session by Ted Davies, Managing Partner at Attain Capital and member of ACT-IAC's Executive Committee, and Sanjay Sardar, President of ASRC Federal.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a session from our 2024 Resilient Infrastructure Summit.

    In this opening keynote session, Dr. Elizabeth Doris, Director of the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), discusses the past, present and future work that the laboratory has conducted to assist in the United States' clean energy transition, resilient infrastructure adaptation, and more.

    The Buzz will be taking a break next week as ACT-IAC holds its 2024 Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference in Cambridge, MD. Register now!

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a session from our 2024 Resilient Infrastructure Summit.

    This panel focuses on how academic institutions contribute to infrastructure change action through research, sustainable practices, and policy advocacy. Speakers will showcase university-led initiatives and their alignment with government efforts to meet national goals. Attendees will learn how academic expertise can guide effective action, emphasizing the importance of informed government strategies in tackling environmental challenges.

    Speakers:
    Jill Thijs (Moderator) - Director of Resilience and Sustainability at Noblis
    William Hederman - Senior Fellow at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania
    Richard Kauzlarich - Co-Director of the Center for Energy Science and Policy at George Mason University
    Edward Maibach - Director of the Center for Resilient Infrastructure Communication at George Mason University
    Katie O'Donnell - Program Manager for the Infrastructure and Health Institute at George Washington University

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • Have you ever tried to cancel an online subscription and ended up clicking around in circles trying to find the right button to press? If so, you experienced a "dark pattern" - a deceptive tactic of UX design that tries to trick users into doing something they don't want to do.

    In the online age, UX designers have enormous power in facilitating our access to information and services. What happens when this power is used for evil?

    To discuss this question (and more), we're joined by Colin Gray, Associate Professor of Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington and Director of the Human-Computer Interaction design program. They've spent the past several years documenting and classifying dark patterns and exploring the legal and ethical questions surrounding their use.

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)

  • This week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's 2024 Digital Transformation Summit.

    This panel of fedtech experts discusses the progress they have made in their respective agencies to leverage digital transformation to enhance the citizen experience, focusing on policy and process impediments that can derail progress and how to overcome them.

    Panelists:

    Andrea Fletcher - Chief Digital Strategy Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesRaymond Holder - .VP of Digital Growth, MaximusBeth Martin - Digital Services Expert, OPMRaj Iyer (Moderator) - Global Head of Public Sector, ServiceNow

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.

    Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
    Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.

    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)