The GovNavigators Show

• Saving the Tech Modernization Fund with Ross Nodurft

  This week, the GovNavigators welcome Ross Nodurft, Executive Director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation, for a timely conversation on the future of federal IT modernization and the urgent fight to save the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) before its December expiration.Ross breaks down how the TMF has quietly become one of the federal government’s most effective tools for paying down tech debt, funding everything from Treasury network modernization to AI-powered disability processing at Social Security. He explains why TMF doesn’t require new appropriations to survive, where bipartisan momentum stands on Capitol Hill, and what agency leaders, industry partners, and advocates can do right now to push reauthorization across the finish line.In the news, we've got GAO’s alarming findings on fraud in CMS’s healthcare subsidies, the Justice Department’s investigation into the SBA’s 8(a) program, and new momentum behind the SAMOSA Act, which would overhaul how agencies buy and manage software.Show Notes:TMF: More on the importance of renewalGAO: CMS healthcare subsidies reportSBA: Investigating 8(a) participantsSAMOSA: Act advances in the HouseWhat's on the GovNavigators Radar:Dec 9: ACT-IAC Disruptive Technology ForumDec 11: State IT Modernization Summit (Virtual)ATARC CIO Summit

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• Sairah Ijaz on Rebuilding Government Through Better Processes

  This week, the GovNavigators sit down with Sairah Ijaz, Managing Director at Celonis and former federal CIO to talk about her path from a GS-5 intern with a clipboard to one of the most influential technology executives in government.Sairah shares how early roles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Social Security Administration, and GAO shaped her obsession with process improvement, and why that made her move to Celonis such a natural next step. She reflects on major transitions at HUD, including financial system migrations, data-driven decision-making, and the sometimes chaotic reality of inheriting undocumented processes and shrinking institutional knowledge.The conversation dives deep on where AI is actually delivering value in government (and where it isn’t), how agencies can operationalize AI in back-office functions, and why understanding real workflows is essential to transforming federal operations, especially in a moment of leadership churn and rapid change.Show Notes:Genesis Mission: EOAGA: CFO SurveyWhat's on the GovNavigators Radar:Dec 1-3: PSC Vision ConferenceDec 4-5: ACT-IAC's in DC 

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• Pop-up Episode: Happy Thanksgiving from the GovNavigators!

  The GovNavigators drop in with a special Thanksgiving pop-up to talk shutdown aftershocks, the rocky restart for federal employees and contractors, and what the latest CR means for the months ahead. Robert and Adam also recap the launch of the GovNavigators Network and touch on OPM’s new executive-training curriculum and Congress’s surprisingly light work schedule. A quick holiday check-in full of federal-management insights and a little gratitude for the GovNavigators community.Show Notes:GovNavigators Network Launch: Press ReleaseOPM: New Development Programs MemoWhat's on the GovNavigators Radar:Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's in DC

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• Love Rutledge on Life After DOD and the Future of Federal Talent

  This week, the GovNavigators welcome Love Rutledge, host of the Fed Upward Podcast and recently retired Senior Executive from the Department of Defense. From her start as a GS-7 working two jobs to leading readiness and talent initiatives at the Pentagon, Love shares lessons from 25 years in federal service—and why she’s optimistic about what comes next.The conversation covers the latest DOD acquisition reforms, the perennial push for a clean audit, and the need for smarter, more flexible civilian personnel systems that make it easier to bring great people in (and back) to government. Plus, Love talks about how the challenges of paid parental leave inspired her to start Fed Upward and why so many feds are now seeking community through peer-to-peer networks.Also this week: the government reopens after 43 days, a new Center for U.S. Lending launches under Doug Criscitello, and the White House issues an executive order to improve benefits delivery for American families.Show Notes:SOW (née Secretary of Defense): Acquisition demoCenter for U.S. Lending: LaunchWhat's on the GovNavigators Radar:Nov 18: DefenseOne’s State of Defense Business Acquisition Summit Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's ELC in DC!  

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• The Lending Brief Podcast: Ben Wallace on Modernizing Federal Loan Systems

  Welcome back to The Lending Brief, brought to you by the GovNavigators and sponsored by Allocore. The Lending Brief shares stories of innovation, challenge, and impact in federal lending.In this episode, Allocore Managing Director Ben Wallace joins to discuss how government lending programs can finally catch up to the scale and speed of modern finance. Throughout our conversation, Ben breaks down what it really takes to modernize loan origination and servicing across agencies like SBA, USDA, DOE, and VA. He shares insights from decades of federal financial-system reform, lessons from recent platform integrations, and the steps needed to make lending both efficient and equitable.Want more from The Lending Brief? Check out The Lending Brief Newsletter

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