The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced April 8, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person June 4.
Next is Alex Duan, CEO of Dynamo Technologies, and a finalist in the CEO of the Year (annual revenue less than $100M) category. In this spotlight, he reflects on key achievements, offers advice for those following a similar path, shares current priorities and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024/2025?
In 2024 and 2025, Dynamo Technologies underwent a pivotal transformation — navigating the profound loss of my co-founder while moving forward with resilience, strategic focus, and a renewed sense of purpose.
To strengthen our foundation, I expanded our executive team with key hires in strategy and growth, modernizing how we innovate and compete. We also rebranded the company to re-energize our culture, clarify our vision, and align around a unified mission.
Our strategic focus has centered on defense sector expansion, AI innovation, and customer experience. We’ve deepened our presence in national security, launched a CX Program to elevate client feedback, and invested in proprietary AI tools to enhance delivery and position Dynamo as a leader in digital modernization.
What stands out most is our team’s resilience. In a time of challenge, we’ve doubled down on purpose, innovation, and impact — building a stronger Dynamo for the future.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Looking ahead, we’re focused on four key priorities — each rooted in our mission to drive innovation, serve critical federal needs, and build a value driven culture:
- AI-Enabled Innovation: We’re investing in advanced, AI-driven tools like Agentic AI to boost efficiency, accelerate decision-making, and deliver mission-critical insights. Our goal: lead federal modernization with responsible, scalable innovation.
- Customer Experience (CX): We’re expanding our CX Program to ensure client feedback directly shapes our solutions. Stronger relationships, built on trust and empathy, drive better outcomes and set us apart.
- Defense Sector Growth:We’re deepening our defense presence by aligning with evolving national security priorities—offering digital modernization and mission support where it matters most.
- Culture & Community: Our culture is our foundation. Through kindness, collaboration, and giving back, we’re building a workplace where people thrive — and a company that makes a difference inside and out.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
If I could offer one piece of advice to aspiring leaders, it would be this: embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about resilience, adaptability, and staying true to your values through uncertainty.
Real leadership means empowering others. Invest in your people, listen with intention, and create space for growth. When you lead with empathy and trust, you build teams that perform with purpose.
Stay curious and never stop learning. Be humble enough to evolve, and bold enough to question the norm. Failure isn’t the end — it’s fuel for your next step.
Above all, let your values guide you. Success is rooted in integrity and how you lead when no one is watching. Some of life’s hardest moments reveal your greatest strengths. Lean into them. Lead with purpose. That’s how you build not just a career — but a legacy.