David Birken
Senior Vice President, Digital Modernization and Experience, ICF
For David Birken, 2025 was a year of rapid change and the ICF team met it head-on by accelerating AI adoption and digital modernization for federal clients.
They launched ICF Fathom, a suite of agentic AI federal solutions, while strengthening partnerships with agencies to deliver results through open-source innovation, low-code/no-code platforms and purpose-built solutions. This flexible, security-first approach lets agencies quickly and responsibly use the latest technologies that meet changing mission needs.
“Dave brings clarity and momentum to complex modernization efforts by keeping people at the center of digital transformation,” said Anne Choate, ICF president.
“With extensive experience in change management and organizational design, he understands how to leverage the best technologies and solutions in the context of organizational and cultural needs. Dave’s leadership builds trust with clients and empowers teams to deliver breakthrough innovation with measurable, high-value impact.”
ICF also works closely with federal clients on modernization efforts that are directly aligned with the administration’s priorities including advancing AI; integrating systems so agencies can do more with less; limiting fraud, waste, and abuse; driving greater cost and operational efficiencies; using open source for greater collaboration and transparency; and unleashing innovation.
ICF is helping agencies modernize with speed, efficiency and accountability at the core. “Our approach emphasizes flexible, production-ready platforms; strategic technology partnerships; constantly questioning the status quo; and agile delivery models that reduce risk while accelerating outcomes,” said Birken.
By integrating technology modernization with workforce strategy and experience design, ICF is helping agencies streamline operations and sustain efficiency improvements over the long term.
Why Watch
In 2026, Birken and his team are focused on delivering high-value, fit-for-purpose solutions that help agencies tackle their most complex challenges with speed and confidence. This includes modernizing critical systems, rapidly prototyping in real time, and applying automation & orchestration where it drives meaningful mission impact. They are also placing significant emphasis on leveraging open-source and GIS technologies to unlock new efficiencies, foster innovation, and provide agencies with powerful insights for decision-making.
Just as importantly, they’re embedding change management into every engagement to ensure solutions integrate seamlessly into day-to-day operations and deliver lasting value.
“We’re focused on using technology to empower agencies to achieve mission outcomes faster and more effectively. But modernization only succeeds when technology, people, and mission are aligned, which is why we emphasize change management and workforce readiness in everything we do,” said Birken. “Our role is to help agencies move with speed while keeping trust, transparency, and outcomes front and center.”
Fun fact: Birken does his best thinking while running. As an ultramarathoner, that often means an hour or two into a run in the woods. His biggest issue is then being fast enough to get home and get his ideas written down. “After 20 years of this, my family is well aware when I have new idea, as I come bursting into the house and right to my whiteboard regardless of what I have been running in or through outside,” Birken said.