The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Fiona Barshow, vice president of business development at Koniag Government Services and finalist in the Business Development Executive of the Year, Private Company, category. Here, she talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
As a Business Development partner with our Lines of Business, I have directly impacted KGS’ aggressive growth strategy and journey to becoming a billion-dollar organization by driving growth and helping KGS win contracts with several new customer organizations within the U.S. Army, DOD, HHS, DEA and the FBI.
This has helped diversify our client base, increase revenue streams and enhance KGS’ reputation across various government sectors. These new contracts are a springboard to propel further growth in strategic sectors to position KGS at the forefront of critical technological advancements in government operations and healthcare.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
My primary focus is to continue partnering with our Lines of Business, to build on successes, insights and lessons learned, and leverage our innovative Artificial Intelligence, Cyber, and Cloud solutions to accelerate growth across our Defense, Federal Civilian and Health portfolio. An inherent part of this collaborative approach is to continuously engage with our customer and partner community to understand their needs, anticipate future challenges, and tailor our solutions.
This approach helps reinforce KGS as an innovative and long-term industry partner enabling mission outcomes which, in turn, has a direct impact on supporting the long-term sustainability of our Alaska Native community. This aspect of our mission is particularly significant as it ties our business success to the welfare and prosperity of the community we represent.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
The best career advice I can offer to build a successful Business Development career is to Connect, Collaborate and Engage. Connect through building a strong professional network and build insights and intelligence by continuously connecting dots. Collaborate and partner with colleagues to earn trust through your work ethic, dedication and reliability, while building on shared success. Engage by being an active contributor and leader in creating a better future, whether through industry organizations or non-profit/social organizations that align with your personal passion and interests.