Once a buzzword, now the norm, cloud has become the standard for digital environments everywhere. As government agencies use this technology to modernize and transform, IT leaders drive the push to adopt and maintain secure, cloud-based enterprises. We’ve identified those in industry and government ensuring the nation is equipped with the tools it needs to drive productivity and build a foundation for advanced technologies.
WashingtonExec’s Top Cloud Executives to Watch in 2024 highlights leaders constantly on the cutting edge of tech innovation. They’ve been working on cloud adoption throughout their careers and are dedicated to providing customers with the environments they need to safely and efficiently meet mission needs. Plus, they bring the expertise, vision and problem-solving spirit that helped the nation meet IT challenges.
Brian McMahon
Executive Director of Innovation and Capabilities Organization, ManTech
Brian McMahon recently created an Edge Computing Platform that’s cloud-agnostic and functions in both connected and disconnected scenarios. With a myriad of cloud vendors, workload types and connectivity options, it allows the client to choose what works best for them.
“As an innovative thought leader, Brian understands the symbiotic relationship between Trusted AI, cybersecurity and cloud – and how our government clients benefit from this convergence with greater efficiency, reliability, accelerated mission performance and cost savings, all with ironclad security,” said Eric Brown, senior vice president and chief innovation officer at ManTech.
Why Watch
In 2024, McMahon’s team is heavily focused on becoming a trusted advisor to clients. Its mission is ManTech’s mission, and it’s ManTech’s duty to be an advocate along the way.
“To be successful you must be a thought leader, a critical thinker, and have the ability to execute,” McMahon said. “With deep expertise in AI, Cloud, ISE, and Cybersecurity we are able to create holistic and innovative solutions that stand out from our competitors.”
Carl Forde
Cloud and Application Services Lead, Capgemini Government Solutions
Carl Forde established Capgemini Government Solutions cloud offerings by carefully identifying commercial cloud solutions successfully deployed for Fortune 500 clients.
Capgemini has performed over 5,000 cloud projects globally. Forde’s selection criteria focused on differentiation for those offerings that not only demonstrated value in the private sector but show potential for adaptation to meet the unique demands of public sector environments.
Such solutions often include advanced data analytics, AI capabilities and robust cybersecurity measures, all of which are critical components for government agencies aiming to modernize their IT infrastructure and improve service delivery to citizens and soldiers serving the country.
“On every project I ask myself, why am I here and what can I do to make an impact? If I embed those questions in the minds of our team, the rest will take care of itself,” Forde said.
Why Watch
Forde’s team has been focused on how AI can streamline cloud managed services and operations through automation, predictive analytics and enhanced decision-making. By automating routine tasks such as provisioning, monitoring and scaling of cloud resources, AI reduces the manual effort required, increases efficiency and minimizes the risk of human error. He’s also focused on how the government can leverage generative AI securely by implementing strict data governance and privacy protocols, ensuring AI systems are trained on synthetic data to protect sensitive information.
“Carl and his team have demonstrated a passion for our customers mission which drives them to deliver the best possible solutions with innovation at the forefront,” said Bill Webner, CEO and president at Capgemini Government Solutions. “I’m excited to see how the next generation of cloud technologies will enhance and accelerate how agencies meet their goals and objectives now and years to come.”
Dan Tucker
Senior Vice President & Cloud and Data Solutions Lead, Citizen Services Business, Booz Allen
For Booz Allen’s Citizen Services Business, “there isn’t a single mission we work on that’s more significant than the rest,” said Dan Tucker.
For Tucker, the team is seeing the impact all around and have the opportunity to do something amazing every day in the context of the missions Booz Allen supports, whether it’s working to reduce the wait times for affordable housing, decreasing the time it takes for veterans to receive benefits or ensuring the effective sharing of data in the event of another national health crisis.
“Not only is Dan an extremely intelligent and thoughtful leader in the data and cloud space, but he is also an inspiring friend and colleague,” said Jay MacMillian, executive vice president in Booz Allen’s Citizen Services Business. “Dan is widely respected among his peers across the industry and government, and is a driver of forward-thinking and problem solving. He’s been an integral part of our team at Booz Allen for over 20 years, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.”
Why Watch
Tucker and his team typically focus on people, process and technology, but in 2024, there’s a need to add data to that list. In the age of AI, it’s easy to get caught up in the buzz around the newest large language or generative model, but the promise of AI is only as real as the quality and accessibility of the data. AI uses data to optimize processes for people — managing the data is the dirty work, but it’s also the fun part, too, Tucker said.
“I’m excited and energized by the promise of AI and data sharing,” he said. “The goal of a modern, effective government is to serve people, but all too often, governments are under-resourced, so people don’t feel served. AI and better data sharing will give people more time and allow government and industry to meet people at a human level.”
Gessica Perovic
Director of Cloud Modernization, Koniag Government Services
Gessica Perovic recently developed and implemented a scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure to meet the growing demands of modern government organizations.
This involved creating cloud-based platforms and services for seamless data storage and processing, leading to enhanced efficiency, flexibility and innovation in organizational operations. Integrating advanced security measures ensured protection of sensitive data, solidifying the foundation for future growth and success.
“Embracing the cloud is a necessity to stay competitive, secure, and adaptable in an ever-evolving technological landscape,” she said.
Why Watch
Perovic’s leadership in cloud infrastructure showcases her ability to drive organizational efficiency and adaptability. As organizations increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure for digital transformation, her expertise positions her as a visionary leader poised to shape the future of cloud innovation while safeguarding invaluable assets against evolving cyber risks.
“It has been great to see Gessica’s leadership develop over the 7 years she has been with the company,” said Matthew Carle, president of the Defense and Intel Line of Business at Koniag Government Services. “She is definitely part of our next generation of leaders, demonstrating an ability to innovate while protecting sensitive data from threats. By modernizing the way organizations operate, her team has enabled them to achieve greater efficiency, flexibility, and innovation in their operations.”
Jeff Bollman
Federal Cloud Business Group Leader, Microsoft
Over the last year, generative AI has been everywhere, both inside and outside Microsoft. “It is amazing to see the speed at which Microsoft is bringing this groundbreaking technology to our federal customers and partners to support their missions in a responsible way,” Jeff Bollman said.
To that end, Bollman’s team has been driving the implementation of Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI go-to-market strategy while aligning with a deep set of responsible AI principles.
“Microsoft is committed to bringing cutting-edge Generative AI technologies to our federal customers and partners,” said Candice Ling, senior vice president at Microsoft Federal. “We are incredibly grateful for Jeff’s contributions and are excited to witness the transformations he will continue to drive this year and beyond.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Bollman’s team is heavily focused on enabling Microsoft’s generative AI investments in its sovereign clouds to help government customers align with the AI executive order across all Azure cloud fabrics, to support unclassified to highly classified missions.
In February 2024, Microsoft launched Azure OpenAI in Azure Government, and Bollman looks forward to bringing these important investments across the Azure Government Secret and Azure Government Top Secret isolated cloud regions.
“Biz Stone once said, ‘When you hand good people possibility, they do great things.’ This quote is quite relevant in how Generative AI can transform, empower, inspire, and bring about positive change when placed in the hands of motivated and ethical teams,” Bollman said.
Jenn Bergstrom
Cloud and Data Solutions Lead, Parsons Corp.
Jenn Bergstrom recently organized and ran two companywide upskilling and gamification events focused on cloud and AI. These events saw hundreds of participants from every Parsons sector competing, collaborating and learning key skills that align with the company’s strategic initiatives. By making the process of learning exciting and fun, Parsons drew in individuals from across the company to deepen their expertise in a memorable and innovative way.
Why Watch
Looking ahead, Bergstrom and her team are focused on refining and maturing Parsons’ Defense and Intelligence cloud practice, and helping customers capitalize on the differentiated services across the major public cloud providers to serve their missions efficiently, resiliently, securely and cost effectively.
Bergstrom and her team will accomplish these goals by growing the internal staff of experts in each cloud, deepening partnerships with cloud providers and vendors and applying Parsons’ best practices to each customer’s unique set of requirements.
“Cloud is a core enabler and accelerator for delivering solutions that embrace the complex operational environments our customers operate within,” Bergstrom said. “It is imperative that Parsons continually enhances our approach to cloud, and I am passionate about building an innovative and sustainable Cloud practice for Defense and Intelligence, which supports our strong customer intimacy and mission expertise with disciplined cloud implementation across hybrid- and multi-cloud environments.”
John Nemoto
Vice President, CGI Federal
John Nemoto leveraged cloud technology via the $7 billion Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to introduce various FedRAMP-approved cybersecurity solutions, greatly improving the security of over 65 federal agencies.
In compliance with the cyber executive order, he led a team in the deployment and management of industry-leading cloud-based endpoint detection and response tools at CISA, resulting in CGI being the first federal integrator to complete such mission critical deployment at any federal agency through the CDM program.
As part of the mandate, Nemoto and his team built and delivered these critical security capabilities through a shared services cloud platform that also provides the enablement of a major CISA priority, the Persistent Access Capability. This tool allows CISA’s cyber experts to see into top SaaS tools used throughout federal networks in real-time. This enhances their ability to actively find and address cyber threats in federal networks, systems and cloud platforms.
Why Watch
Nemoto’s team is addressing AI dangers, particularly from cloud-based AI systems, by developing AI and machine learning models. These models analyze vast amounts of data from cloud systems to better detect cyber threats and significantly speed up response times for stopping and fixing security risks.
“We need to be ready, willing, and able to continuously re-assess and re-adapt what tools we are going to bring to the evolving threat vectors,” Nemoto said. “We also need to be agile in our approach, and realize that previous successes may no longer be applicable. The ever-increasing and evolving cyber threats we face, the duality of emerging technologies —these require leaders and experts to be more innovative, collaborative, and agile in our strategies across the cloud landscape.”
Justin Shirk
Managing Director & Federal Cloud & Secure Mission Lead, Accenture Federal Services
In 2023, Justin Shirk’s team accelerated the transformation of Accenture Federal Services inside to better serve their customers outside. “We had a lightbulb moment: We had this great tool Cloud Tracker, but we weren’t fully using it for our own cloud accounts,” he said.
Cloud Tracker is Accenture Federal’s built-for-federal FinOps product that works across all four CSPs and is deployed across the US Federal Government. “Once you have the data in one place, development teams and client teams alike have the confidence to make commitments — like buying savings plans & reserved instances — really maximizing dollars spent,” Shirk said.
Shirk has a fully connected view of the cloud. “Enabling clients to save millions lets them invest in emerging technologies like cloud-based Generative AI and High Performance Computing (HPC),” he said. “The cloud is really the center of gravity in this hyper convergence of technology.”
Shirk’s approach to hyper convergence in cloud and strategy is a stand-out, delivering value both to clients and the company, said Ira Entis, Accenture Federal Services’ growth and strategy lead.
“He drives disruption throughout the business, inside and out,” Entis added.
Why Watch
In 2023, Shirk’s team recognized that the sheer scale of defense applications to be migrated to the cloud in the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability era required a new approach.
“The United States Department of Defense spends more on IT than all other government agencies combined. Most of their apps have yet to migrate to the cloud — and with JWCC awarded, the flood gates are open,” Shirk said. “The DOD, and the government writ large, want to get to the cloud quickly en masse while still modernizing. We built our Cloud Migration and Modernization Factory to match the scale of Accenture to the scale of the Government’s challenges in migrating tens of thousands of applications to the cloud.”
Accenture’s Cloud Migration and Modernization Factory enables rapid modernization and migrations of systems requiring the highest level of security and protection, meeting the strict security standards even for those operating within the compartmented communities of the DOD and IC. The factory service delivers fully accreditable security baselines and application archetypes for any classification level.
Lillian Chang
Senior Vice President of Product Strategy, SAP NS2
Lillian Chang leads a team that’s constantly adapting and improving its ability to serve customers with secure products. The team has improved its collaboration and decision-making through mutual trust.
Why Watch
In 2024, the team is heavily focused on ensuring the SAP NS2 portfolio aligns with the unique needs and security requirements of government agencies. Government data often contains sensitive information so security and compliance are paramount and top priorities. SAP NS2’s solutions support the relevant regulatory compliances regulated industry customers require, including ITAR, FedRAMP, StateRAMP and DOD Impact Levels.
“‘Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again,’ [by]Nelson Mandela. This quote reminds me that at work or in life, being resilient will help you achieve your goals every time,” Chang said.
Mathew Soltis
Vice President of Cloud Solutions & Services, GDIT
Over the past three years, Mathew Soltis and his team built GDIT’s cloud solutions, supporting over 90 public sector cloud programs that improve the efficiency and security of government operations.
Soltis is passionate about leveraging new cloud technology and business models to achieve mission outcomes and digital transformation. In 2023, GDIT launched eight new digital accelerators, using cloud-native technology to significantly advance capabilities in multi-cloud management, cybersecurity, application development and AI.
Why Watch
In 2024, Soltis and his team are focusing on innovative solutions for GDIT’s Hive Hybrid Multi-Cloud Digital Accelerator, with offerings in cloud migration, application and data modernization, and cloud management.
“I am excited to see the rapid adoption and new use cases for cloud, matched with the advances and amazing new tools in AI, data lakes, and serverless computing, as well as process automation in DevSecOps and containers,” he said. “To effectively run cloud at agency scale requires a mature culture, cross-agency and role collaboration, as well as an evolution in FinOps and cyber governance—these are areas where GDIT is equipping agencies with purpose-built tools to efficiently meet mission objectives.”
Fun fact: Outside work, Soltis is a dedicated high school swim coach and open water swimmer, using his mentoring skills in both the tech lab and at the pool. “I feel so fortunate to work with kids in the pool and with our GDIT solutions teams — the process and mentoring skills are quite similar,” he said. “It is my passion to see the outcomes from the strategy, collaboration in hard work, and attention to details over the long haul come to fruition in winning times and customer success.”
Paul Baliff
Managing Director & Federal Health Sector Lead for Cloud, Deloitte Consulting LLC
Paul Baliff helps federal health sector clients upgrade from legacy systems to modern cloud infrastructure, ensuring they get the most from their technology budgets and enhance their operational effectiveness to meet or surpass their missions.
To help them achieve that goal, Deloitte teams create detailed strategies for its federal health clients to plan, migrate, manage and optimize in the cloud. These strategies increase efficiencies in research and regulatory environments, improving knowledge sharing in the public health and payer/provider communities and facilitates the use of tools and data to enable faster, more-informed decisions that positively impact the U.S. healthcare system.
As Deloitte’s federal health sector cloud lead, “Paul advocates for his clients and collaborates with Cloud hyperscalers and Alliance Partners to develop innovative solutions that propel our clients’ missions securely and with the highest quality outcomes for their constituents,” said Nishita Henry, principal Deloitte Consulting, global chief commercial officer of Amazon relationship.
Why Watch
Federal health agencies have to deliver more with flat or constrained budgets. Cloud is essential to IT leaders in delivering advanced services and achieving improved business outcomes for their organizations.
“We are out in front, partnering with Federal clients to migrate systems and applications to the cloud,” Baliff said. “We build native solutions that transform and streamline our client’s business operations. Creative thinking, combined with true partnerships with the cloud platform providers, allows Deloitte to build innovative solutions, saving our clients resources and time.”
Peter Scott
Vice President of Product, Two Six Technologies
Peter Scott’s biggest recent achievement was the launch and growth of a market leading, multi-cloud security platform from 2013-2023, starting at DivvyCloud and continuing after Rapid7 acquired it.
This service, which reached over $40 million in annual sales, helped big companies like Fannie Mae and Spotify securely use cloud technology. It solved several security problems for businesses using multiple cloud services.
Joe Logue, CEO of Two Six Technologies, said: “Peter provides Two Six with invaluable expertise and strategic leadership for our Products team. His decades of experience in the commercial sector gives us a unique advantage in developing software platforms that deliver scalable solutions for national security missions.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Two Six Technologies plans to introduce TrustedKeep, a multi-cloud zero trust security solution, to U.S. government clients. Rooted in technology already used within the national security space since 2019, TrustedKeep aims to bolster security for government systems. It’s designed to fit into new or existing Zero Trust Architectures, offering strict role separation, advanced encryption and identity and access management policy enforcement.
“I try to share with folks at any stage of their career to always look for opportunities at the intersection of (1) what you are good at; (2) what you truly enjoy; and (3) in areas that are poised for transformation and growth,” Scott said. “And always prioritize working with smart, fun, high-integrity people. Whether your endeavors are a commercial success or not…the people you work with will make all the difference in your personal growth and happiness.”
Rand Waldron
Vice President of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Global Government Sector, Oracle
Over the past year, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for the US Government, led by Rand Waldron, reached key milestones. In 2023, it was approved to handle Secret and Top Secret information for U.S. intelligence and defense, opening up access to Oracle’s cloud innovations for all levels of U.S. government data.
“Our government customers run the world’s most important systems and must fulfill critical missions at scale, with the highest level of security,” Waldron said. “Oracle is ensuring they have access to a complete set of cloud services that meet today’s demand as well as future requirements. This isn’t a sideline for Oracle, because distributed cloud is at the very heart of our strategy and drives our research and development efforts. From our founder on down, we are proud to support our customer missions.”
Waldron and Oracle drove additional momentum in February of 2024, when OCI brought its total of FedRAMP-authorized services available up to 93, expanding the scope of enhanced AI, DevOps and security capabilities available to federal agencies and partners.
Why Watch
Before Oracle, Rand Waldron was the deputy assistant director at the FBI, overseeing the agency’s software and data systems like analytics, records management and software development. He’s now using this expertise to enhance Oracle’s offerings for public sector clients, ensuring their services meet the unique needs of these distributed environments.
“Rand’s experience and profound technical acumen are indispensable for both Oracle and our customers,” said Kim Lynch, Oracle executive vice president for government defense and intelligence. “His understanding of how technology can be best leveraged to support mission objectives is helping government leaders maximize the impact offered by a cloud provider.”
Ravi Raghava
Chief Technology Officer of Civilian Business Group, SAIC
Ravi Raghava is an accomplished executive known for spearheading transformative change and showcasing a profound comprehension of the ever-changing cloud and digital arena. With visionary leadership and a sharp focus on upcoming trends, he guided the efforts of numerous groundbreaking and secure cloud solutions to clients across defense and civilian, including the Treasury Department, Interior Department and the Navy. Through skillful navigation of intricate technological transitions, Raghava and his team empowered organizations to fully harness the transformative capabilities of cloud-based solutions.
“Innovation isn’t a destination; it’s the journey of daring to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of technology,” he said. “In the realm of cloud technology, agility is key. It’s about being as swift as the wind and as expansive as the sky in adapting to change.”
Why Watch
Moving forward, Raghava is looking to lead the charge in digital transformation, championing the adoption of secure cloud infrastructures, responsible AI integration and the advancement of NextGen solutions.
“Our commitment lies in supporting customers as they modernize and revolutionize their operational frameworks,” he said. “Artificial intelligence, notably generative AI, powered by cloud, has emerged as a focal point of interest over the past two years, and my team and I are deeply committed to crafting integrated solutions that revolve around the pillars of cloud computing, enterprise mission IT, data solutions and AI, aimed at tackling our customers’ challenges.”
Renzo Rodriguez
Managing Director of Federal Technology & Innovation, Amazon Web Services, Worldwide Public Sector
In 2023, Renzo Rodriguez spearheaded the launch of an innovative mission solutions strategy in the Federal Technical organization. This initiative generated significant demand, indicating alignment with the federal push for advanced technological adoption.
The strategy leveraged the scalability, security and advanced AI capabilities of the cloud, particularly exploring generative AI’s transformative potential in data analysis, process automation and decision-making within agencies.
Why Watch
In 2024, Rodriguez is focused on deepening his team’s engagement with the “Mission Made Possible” ethos, integrating generative AI to create sophisticated models and simulations that support complex mission scenarios. This strategic initiative not only accelerates their path to mission success but also showcases a commitment to staying at the forefront of AI innovation, ensuring AWS’ cloud solutions lead in efficiency, security and transformative potential for public sector stakeholders.
“Our careers’ most profound legacy lies not in the heights we reach but in the foundation we lay for those who follow,” Rodriguez said. “Recognizing that our tenure on this earth is but a fleeting moment, we bear the responsibility to forge a future that stands as a testament to our commitment to the greater good. Let us then endeavor with unwavering resolve to cultivate a world that the next generation can inherit with pride, a world not only improved by our efforts but also inspired by the ideals we uphold.”
Rob Vietmeyer
Chief Software Officer for DCIO Information Enterprise, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Defense Department
Rob Vietmeyer worked to define and publish the groundbreaking criteria for the Continuous Authority to Operate process, a pivotal step in modernizing and securing software development within the Defense Department.
“This work involved working with DOD cybersecurity leadership, the military departments and DevSecOps experts to integrate complex security, development and operational processes into a cohesive, automated framework to accelerate the ATO process while maintaining stringent security standards,” he said. “Through this leadership, we are setting the benchmark in agile and secure software deployment.”
William R. Dunlap, Jr., acting deputy chief information officer for the information enterprise, said Vietmeyer is an “exemplary executive” who leads the way in the realm of cloud technology within DOD.
“With visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, Rob, as a top cloud executive is transforming the landscape of defense operations, ensuring enhanced efficiency, and fostering innovation,” Dunlap said. “His strategic acumen and deep understanding of the cloud’s potential empowers the DOD to achieve unprecedented levels of agility, security and mission success. A true trailblazer in the digital era, he is shaping the future of defense with his unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Vietmeyer’s team is heavily focused on improving the security of DOD’s software supply chain by establishing comprehensive standards for software trustworthiness, integrating secure software development practices and implementing Software Bill of Materials management practices. These efforts aim to ensure transparency, integrity and security at every stage of the software lifecycle. DOD’s commitment to these initiatives positions the organization at the forefront of mitigating risks and elevating the overall security posture within its digital ecosystem, Vietmeyer said.
“Software is not just a tool; it has become pivotal not just for operational efficiency but for survival and mission success in today’s battlespace,” he said. “Our ability to continuously evolve software stands as a critical strategic asset, vital for enhancing our competitive advantage and enabling the agility to respond to changing mission needs.”
Ross Serino
Vice President of Cloud Operations, ECS
Ross Serino led his team to operationalize new and emerging technology to include large language models and other supporting solutions. This work is just beginning, but it sparked enthusiasm for the potential directions of internal research and development, as well as the productive and secure application of commercially available technologies.
“Ross Serino is not your typical cloud executive,” said Stephen Erickson, vice president, solution architect at ECS. “In addition to building secure, multi-cloud architectures and understanding how the latest hyperscale services can benefit federal programs, Ross also focuses his attention ‘up the stack’ to include innovative software factory and generative AI expertise in his toolbelt. He applies his depth of knowledge every day to benefit both our customers and ECS employees through solution design, delivery and educating the workforce. Ross cares deeply about developing the skills of a new generation of technical talent, which further positions ECS as a great place for cloud professionals to work and advance their careers.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Serino’s team is heavily focused on outcomes powered by algorithms and advanced automated analysis. The past five years evolved the area of machine learning, especially because of industry advancements in the most recent 12 months. Serino’s team is focused on operationalizing these new developments similarly to how the cloud was managed almost a decade ago when it was an emerging technology.
“Technology will always continue to change, and it can be easy to lose focus on the functions that technology is supposed to enable in the first place,” Serino said. “This means problems need to be looked at in new ways when new technology is available, and there needs to be acceptance of change and transformation to solve problems and improve things.”
Sandeep Dorawala
President of Digital Solutions Group, SMX
The SMX Digital Solutions Group Sandeep Dorawala leads pioneered solutions for pivotal missions across the public sector. Successfully serving clients at the federal and state levels as well as Fortune 500 commercial customers affirmed his team’s role as transformation leaders in cloud enablement, data analytics, systems modernization and software engineering.
SMX launched the Elevate product line, making cloud access easier for clients to modernize and excel in their missions. The team secured a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Amazon and strengthened partnerships with major companies like Google, Azure, Oracle and Snowflake in 2023, showcasing a commitment to innovation.
Dorawala is excited about SMX’s acquisitions of Creoal, known for its Oracle digital transformation solutions, and Outside Analytics, recognized for its mission data analytics and software engineering expertise. These additions enhance SMX’s ability to provide real-time analytics solutions to the space sector.
“Our acquisitions and strategic alliances with tech titans have been pivotal in delivering creative and competitive solutions, ensuring our clients maintain a decisive edge,” he said. “With our team’s growth and the introduction of the Elevate product line, we affirm our commitment to transforming missions in the public sector and beyond, empowering our clients to excel in an ever-evolving digital landscape. In the digital transformation journey, SMX’s commitment to innovation and collaboration fuels our evolution, empowering clients to redefine possibilities.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Dorawala’s team is poised for even greater success, dedicated to supporting clients with critical missions. Simplifying digital transformation—from updating outdated systems to developing advanced solutions compatible with any platform—the team ensures its clients are not just up-to-date but also ahead of technological trends. As a leader in innovation, the team extracts crucial insights from vast amounts of data, offering clients a decisive advantage in their decision-making processes.
“Sandeep’s deep experience in our industry provides him with insight across the full spectrum of digital transformation, from infrastructure to data to applications and UI/UX,” said SMX CEO Peter LaMontagne. “His ability to focus on strategy and mission outcomes makes him an ideal partner at SMX, and a trusted advisor to senior leaders in our client base.”
Sharon Woods
Director of J9 Hosting and Compute, DISA
Launching the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, a multi-vendor commercial cloud contract with Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle, leads the list of major recent accomplishments for Sharon Woods.
JWCC provides the Defense Department with an acquisition vehicle for procuring cloud services at every classification level, from the strategic level to the operational edge. Since receiving the contract on Dec. 7, 2022, Woods’ team has focused on onboarding customers, gathering their feedback, assessing contract use, and introducing new features like operational edge devices. The team aims to provide a cloud solution tailored to the varied needs of warfighters in all operational contexts.
One piece of career advise Woods values is to take smart risks and not be afraid to fail.
“I lead a technology organization, and I encourage my team to embrace the Agile ‘fail forward’ mentality every day,” she said. “It’s important to create a safe space for employees to experiment and take small risks and to not be afraid of failure. We learn and grow from small failures by failing forward towards bigger successes.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Woods’ J9 Hosting and Compute team at the Defense Information Systems Agency is heavily focused on transformation. The team published a strategic plan, which lays out actions and initiatives for 2024 and 2025 to transform technology, processes and people to become the department’s preferred hybrid-cloud provider.
Fun Fact: “I am a huge heavy metal fan,” Woods said. “My favorite band is Metallica, and my favorite song is ‘Master of Puppets.’ I also recently started playing the violin. I’m terrible at it, but I’m a lifelong learner and I’m embracing the discomfort of being a novice instrument player.”
Tahera Zamanzada
Vice President of Digital Transformation, ICF
This year, Tahera Zamanzada established and began leading ICF’s Digital Platforms team, overseeing technical solutions across 10-plus technology platforms, including AWS, Google Cloud, Databricks and Snowflakes.
Her team, including data scientists, engineers and developers, focuses on improving and simplifying IT systems for clients using new and unique software. They help government agencies use cloud technology to quickly and effectively achieve their goals, leading to better results for people and communities across the country.
It’s paying off. The digital modernization business has grown to $500 million and continues to see revenue growth.
Why Watch
This year, Zamanzada’s team is concentrating on bridging the gap between deep domain knowledge and advanced technology. ICF is driven by a mission-focused culture that emphasizes addressing critical issues through their technology solutions. Additionally, her team collaborates with internal IT departments to enhance the company’s use of cloud technology, ensuring internal systems are secure, efficient and contribute to growth and innovation within the firm.
“For digital and cloud modernization to truly be successful, agencies need to go beyond software updates and encompass organizational culture and inclusivity,” she said. “Leveraging empathy and human-centered design strikes a balance between innovation and practicality. It can’t just be about ushering in new technology; but taking an approach to ensure it integrates seamlessly.”
JC Chidiac, senior vice president of the Federal Solutions Division and chief growth officer of Digital Modernization & Experience at ICF, said Zamanzada directs the company’s digital platforms teams. These teams combine ICF’s extensive expertise with leading technology solutions to address significant client challenges and deliver mission-critical outcomes.
“She’s helping reshape how government perceives technology and uses data, tapping into its potential by ensuring the seamless integration of cloud and advanced technologies,” Chidiac said. “A transformative figure in fed tech consulting, Tahera merges emotional intelligence with technical acumen to support our clients in meeting their missions.”
Sandeep Shilawat
Vice President of Cloud Technology, Octo
Sandeep Shilawat established the Cloud Center of Expertise for Octo, an IBM Company, prior to IBM’s acquisition of Octo. In this role, he now helps drive awareness of IBM as a leader in hybrid cloud and AI with U.S. federal agencies.
He also worked with IBM’s government affairs team to contribute to the company’s comments on the OMB FedRAMP memo, helping to shape technology policies that impact IBM’s ability to sell in the U.S. federal market.
“Sandeep is one of the most innovative cloud technologists in the U.S. federal market,” said Sujey Edward, chief technology officer of U.S. federal market for IBM Consulting. “He consistently develops innovative solutions to address some of U.S. federal agency’s most pressing problems. Sandeep’s experience and passion for technology remains key to helping our agency clients effectively and efficiently modernize their aging infrastructures.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Shilawat’s team is heavily focused on establishing what they define as “hybrid cloud secure landing zones,” facilitating best practice sharing and integration of the right technology solutions and services from IBM’s commercial clients into the U.S. federal market. Additionally, his team will implement a generative AI-driven hybrid cloud transformation program to further support the responsible development and deployment of AI as part of the digital transformation of U.S. federal agencies.
“The idea of ‘mission driven innovation and innovation driven growth’ is critical to ensuring the technology solutions and services we deliver are customized to federal agency missions,” Shilawat said.
