The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards were announced Oct. 11, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 30.
Next is National Security/DHS Executive of the Year (Public Company) finalist Clay Goldwein, who leads the National Security and Justice business unit at CGI Federal. Here, he talks career inflection points, shaping the next generation of leaders, career advice and more.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
Over 10 years ago I got involved with our work at DHS. I led the standup of CGI’s Federal cloud and DHS was an early adopter of our cloud for several projects. Over time, I learned more about the mission of DHS, including protecting people such as the president (U.S. Secret Service), immigration (ICE, CBP, USCIS), law enforcement training (FLETC) and cybersecurity (CISA).
More recently, I have had exposure to the Department of Justice, which has a similar mission. I now lead our National Security and Justice business unit, and my primary focus is to mature and advance our work with these departments, as well as the Legislative and Judicial branches of the government, and expand into new areas. Our breath of technologies within these agencies include cyber, cloud, DevSecOps, business consulting and systems integration. I’m proud of our ongoing partnership with national security agencies.
How do you help shape the next generation of government leaders/industry leaders?
I take a lot of pride in my work within CGI to advance our next generation of leaders as well as how I engage with those in the government and across industry. It is important to me to share what I have learned, how I’ve grown my career and give back to the next generation of leaders.
At CGI I manage a team of over 1,000 professionals, and I also engage with the larger CGI member population. I’ve just recently given a talk open to all CGI members on how I grew my career within CGI, and how I engage with the market. It is also important for members to feel empowered and supported so I’m the executive sponsor of the Latinos Unidos at CGI member resources group. One of the items that I emphasize in town hall meetings and other forums is the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.
I found my involvement with industry organizations to be extremely rewarding, and I encourage young professionals to do the same. Through my membership and engagement with the WashingtonExec National Security Council, being a fellow at ACT-IAC, and being vice chair of ACT-IAC’s 2022 Partners Class, I’m able to support leaders in government and industry, preparing them for the senior executive service in government or senior executive positions in industry.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My advice for those that want to take a similar path as mine is to be open and say “yes.” Know that you will never feel completely ready for a new responsibility, but trust your leaders when they tell you that they believe you’re ready to take the leap.
Another is to constantly be working on your people skills. My people skills were a weakness for me early in my career, and I had to improve them significantly to grow. The further you go in your career, the more important people skills are and the less important your skills as an individual contributor (in my case, I was a programmer) matter. Take opportunities that stretch you out of your comfort zone, engage in associations, speak on panels and attend the networking receptions to meet new people. Every opportunity can bring you a new insight, connection or lesson.