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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Ted Kaouk on AI and the Future of Federal Innovation
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam welcome Ted Kaouk, former Federal Chief Data Officer and (as Adam puts it) the godfather of the federal CDO community. Now founder of Generative Work AI, Ted joins the hosts to discuss how generative AI is transforming the way organizations think, learn, and lead.From his “30 AI apps in 30 days” challenge to lessons from building the CDO Council after the Evidence Act, Ted shares insights on how agencies can move from compliance to true data-driven value, the emerging art of “vibe coding,” and why behavioral feedback may be the new superpower in managing AI systems.Show Notes:OPM: Hiring Guidance MemoVeterans Day: VA Resources for Honoring the DayEvents on the GovNavigators' Radar:Nov 10: ACT-IAC GovTechNext Emerging Tech Demo DayNov 12: ACT-IAC CX SummitNov 18: DefenseOne’s State of Defense Business Acquisition Summit Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's ELC in DC!
Welcome, everyone, to the The GovNavigators Show - a government focused show that won’t make you seasick. We hope to enlighten and enliven your week with news and insightful, entertaining guests all on the topic of government management.Check out more at www.govnavigators.com
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