By all accounts, CeCe DeCamp moves fast.
She talks fast, works fast and thinks ahead, always anticipating and planning for what’s next. That mindset has fueled her career in the public sector, where she now leads strategy and operations for SAIC’s Civilian Business Group and serves as lead for its Homeland Security Market.
It’s a lot of ground to cover. But for DeCamp, the scope is what makes the work matter.
SAIC gives her a wide platform to do it. Founded in 1969, the company has grown into one of the nation’s largest mission integrators, generating about $7.5 billion yearly and supporting high-impact civilian, national security and defense missions. Its work spans everything from IT modernization to biometrics and identity verification.
“Every day, our clients are faced with new challenges,” DeCamp says. “As a mission integrator, the solutions SAIC delivers are needed now more than ever.”
Her role puts her in direct contact with civilian agencies across homeland security, which, she notes, is “where we really meet the mission directly.”
“The needs are complex and always changing,” DeCamp says. “We make sure we’ve got the right people and the right solutions ready to go.”
A Return to Her Roots
Leading homeland security work feels personal for DeCamp.
“I’m excited about it,” she says. “It is where my roots are, quite frankly. It kind of seems like a full cycle in my career, which is fantastic.”
Early homeland roles taught DeCamp to thrive under pressure, build trust across teams and understand how policy translates into real-world operations. Coming back to this space reminds her why she entered public sector work in the first place: urgency, impact and mission-driven results.
But DeCamp didn’t always picture herself in government. As a kid, she dreamed of being a movie critic.
“There’s nothing better for me than a little popcorn and the big screen,” she says, laughing. The idea of getting paid to watch movies and share her opinions felt perfect.
Although her career ultimately diverged from the path of movie critic, a throughline remained: analyzing information and translating complexity into action. That instinct — distilling client needs, team dynamics and agency missions — still defines her leadership style today.
DeCamp admits she was a hard charger early in her career: fast to act, fast to solve. Over time, she learned the value of a pause.
“Especially during the really challenging times, we’ve got to take a little extra time and think about it,” she says. “Take that extra pause before making a big decision.”
Off the clock, she slows the pace with fly fishing, birding, golf and the occasional jigsaw puzzle or crossword.
Curiosity and Connection
If there’s a single thread in DeCamp’s story, it’s curiosity.
It carried her from entry-level roles to executive leadership, across markets and moments, including the chaotic stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We became closer, more focused than ever on outcomes,” she says of her team during that time. “Everybody worked together. We made sure that we kept each other whole while achieving what we needed to do for our clients and our company.”
The experience confirmed a core belief: trust and connection — not hierarchy — drive results. That belief extends to mentoring rising talent, which she calls one of the most energizing parts of her job.
“Seeing them realize the potential that they have, and what we can do together is energizing,” DeCamp says. “Hopefully, they’re all working smarter than I did,” she adds with a laugh. “Everyone’s path is different, but you have to be curious. You have to be vested in the outcome.”
Looking Ahead
If there’s a theme that surfaces again and again, it’s purpose. DeCamp is focused on doing the work, getting it right and helping clients prepare for what’s next.
She points to events like the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where SAIC is already supporting federal readiness efforts.
“The work starts today,” DeCamp says. “To be a great country and host something like that, it takes a lot. And we’re already thinking ahead.”
DeCamp doesn’t dwell on titles or future milestones. Her focus is showing up, solving problems and leading teams that deliver.
“I’m just happy to be feeling every day that I’m in the right place,” she says.