In this special Christmas pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam close out a truly wild year in government with reflections, gratitude, and a well-earned holiday sendoff. We raise a glass to the remarkable career of Gene Dodaro, who is retiring after more than five decades of public service, including 15 years as Comptroller General of the United States. Additionally, we've got an update on all the year-end developments affecting the federal workforce, including holiday leave, pay adjustments, military compensation decisions, and the ever-present tension between appropriations law and executive branch flexibility.

We wish you all a happy holidays, and we'll see you in 2026- Mele Kalikimaka!

This week, the GovNavigators sit down with our good friend Nick Hart, President and CEO of the Data Foundation, for a wide-ranging conversation on why government data matters more than most people realize, and why it so often goes unnoticed until it’s at risk.

Nick walks through the launch of the People’s Data 100, a new initiative designed to surface and celebrate the most valuable public-sector data assets. He explains how fragile these “invisible infrastructure” systems can be, why low public engagement puts critical datasets at risk of elimination, and what it really takes — people, resources, and data hygiene — to keep high-value data usable, trustworthy, and fit for purpose.

The conversation also explores the state of data governance heading into 2026, including implementation of the Evidence Act, responsible and ethical data use, and the upcoming launch of the Data Foundation’s Evidence Act Hub, aimed at making it easier for agencies, researchers, and the public to navigate the federal evidence ecosystem.

In the news, Robert and Adam unpack the release of the administration’s long-awaited President’s Management Agenda, debate what its slimmed-down framework signals for federal priorities, and break down new developments on AI governance, federal real estate optimization, and the always-moving pieces of year-end legislation and management reform.

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Ross Nodurft, Executive Director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation, for a timely conversation on the future of federal IT modernization and the urgent fight to save the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) before its December expiration.

Ross breaks down how the TMF has quietly become one of the federal government’s most effective tools for paying down tech debt, funding everything from Treasury network modernization to AI-powered disability processing at Social Security. He explains why TMF doesn’t require new appropriations to survive, where bipartisan momentum stands on Capitol Hill, and what agency leaders, industry partners, and advocates can do right now to push reauthorization across the finish line.

In the news, we've got GAO’s alarming findings on fraud in CMS’s healthcare subsidies, the Justice Department’s investigation into the SBA’s 8(a) program, and new momentum behind the SAMOSA Act, which would overhaul how agencies buy and manage software.

Show Notes:

TMF: More on the importance of renewal

GAO: CMS healthcare subsidies report

SBA: Investigating 8(a) participants

SAMOSA: Act advances in the House

What's on the GovNavigators Radar:

Dec 9: ACT-IAC Disruptive Technology Forum

Dec 11: 

• State IT Modernization Summit (Virtual)

• ATARC CIO Summit

All Episodes

Season: 3

Episode: 136

Sarah Ijaz on Rebuilding Government Through Better Processes

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This week, the GovNavigators sit down with Sairah Ijaz, Managing Director at Celonis and former federal CIO to talk about her path from a GS-5 intern with a clipboard to one of the most influential technology executives in government.

Sairah shares how early roles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Social Security Administration, and GAO shaped her obsession with process improvement, and why that made her move to Celonis such a natural next step. She reflects on major transitions at HUD, including financial system migrations, data-driven decision-making, and the sometimes chaotic reality of inheriting undocumented processes and shrinking institutional knowledge.

The conversation dives deep on where AI is actually delivering value in government (and where it isn’t), how agencies can operationalize AI in back-office functions, and why understanding real workflows is essential to transforming federal operations, especially in a moment of leadership churn and rapid change.

The GovNavigators drop in with a special Thanksgiving pop-up to talk shutdown aftershocks, the rocky restart for federal employees and contractors, and what the latest CR means for the months ahead. Robert and Adam also recap the launch of the GovNavigators Network and touch on OPM’s new executive-training curriculum and Congress’s surprisingly light work schedule. A quick holiday check-in full of federal-management insights and a little gratitude for the GovNavigators community.

Show Notes:

GovNavigators Network Launch: Press Release

OPM: New Development Programs Memo

What's on the GovNavigators Radar:

Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's in DC

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Love Rutledge, host of the Fed Upward Podcast and recently retired Senior Executive from the Department of Defense. From her start as a GS-7 working two jobs to leading readiness and talent initiatives at the Pentagon, Love shares lessons from 25 years in federal service—and why she’s optimistic about what comes next.

The conversation covers the latest DOD acquisition reforms, the perennial push for a clean audit, and the need for smarter, more flexible civilian personnel systems that make it easier to bring great people in (and back) to government. Plus, Love talks about how the challenges of paid parental leave inspired her to start Fed Upward and why so many feds are now seeking community through peer-to-peer networks.

Also this week: the government reopens after 43 days, a new Center for U.S. Lending launches under Doug Criscitello, and the White House issues an executive order to improve benefits delivery for American families.

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam welcome Ted Kaouk, former Federal Chief Data Officer and (as Adam puts it) the godfather of the federal CDO community. Now founder of Generative Work AI, Ted joins the hosts to discuss how generative AI is transforming the way organizations think, learn, and lead.

From his “30 AI apps in 30 days” challenge to lessons from building the CDO Council after the Evidence Act, Ted shares insights on how agencies can move from compliance to true data-driven value, the emerging art of “vibe coding,” and why behavioral feedback may be the new superpower in managing AI systems.

This week on the GovNavigators Show, ACT-IAC CEO Dave Wennergren sits down with Robert and Adam to talk about how ACT-IAC and similar organizations are staying the course through the recent big shifts in the federal management and technology. 

Throughout sweeping cost-cuts, shifting priorities, and the AI wave, Dave and everyone on his team have been helping government and industry chart a path forward. Join us while we muse about where we've been, and where we might be heading. It's day 33 of the government shutdown- is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Show Notes:

Keep up with upcoming ACT-IAC events

District Court Judge Blocks RIFs

New DOT and Google Major Contract

NVIDIA GTC Conference Recap

New Citizenship Test

Robert Revieves the George Graham Award from NAPA

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar:

Nov 2-4: National Academy of Public Administration’s National Conference 

Nov 4: Data Foundation’s Datum Awards 

Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's ELC in DC!  

This week on the GovNavigators podcast, Robert and Adam sit down with the newest member of the GovNavigators team, Chief Strategy Officer Hilery Sirpis! Hilery shares her insight gained from her 27 years helping government contractors connect with public-sector audiences.

She shares with the navigators about her love for the state and local market, lessons from launching Route Fifty, and how successful organizations pivot during political transitions. It’s a smart, funny, and candid conversation about storytelling, strategy, and what it takes to thrive in the government market. 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Gordon Gillerman, former Director of the Standards Coordination Office at NIST, to talk about how standards and testing programs quietly keep the federal government and the products it relies on running safely and efficiently. Gordon shares how collaboration between government and industry helps ensure innovation, interoperability, and public trust.

Show Notes

OMB: Circular A-119

Data Foundation: 2025 Shutdown RIF Impacts Tracker

NSPM-8: Military pay during the shutdown 

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar

Check out GovExec’s new events calendar 

Oct 27-29: Nvidia’s GTC Annual AI Conference  

Nov 2-4: National Academy of Public Administration’s National Conference 

This week on the GovNavigators, we bring you a special episode from Celonis’s Process Intelligence Day. we’re taking you inside Celonis Process Intelligence Day—where government and industry leaders shared how data-driven insights are reshaping public sector operations. 

Robert and Adam talk with Colin Wardlaw, Gary Wang, Aubrey Vaughn, and Sairah Ijaz about what it takes to modernize legacy systems, foster cultural change, and measure success through clear KPIs and real results. 

It’s a look at how process intelligence is helping agencies do more with less—and deliver better outcomes for the public.

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Oct. 13-15, 2025: AUSA’s Annual Meeting 

Oct. 14, 2025: BENS’ Arsenal of Democracy 2.0  

Oct. 26-28, 2025: ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Oliver Wise, former Chief Data Officer at the Department of Commerce and now Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. Oliver discusses his experience leading data initiatives across Commerce, including efforts to make federal data usable in an AI-driven world, and explains how local governments can harness data to improve lives through programs like the City Data Alliance.

From federal policy to city hall, Oliver shares how better data governance—and a new model of collaboration between levels of government—can help public servants everywhere deliver smarter, more trustworthy results.

Show Notes:

For our furloughed friends: Shutdown deals around town

Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar:

Check out GovExec’s new events calendar 

October 9, 2025: Federal News Network’s 25th Anniversary Gala

October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit 

This week, the GovNavigators sit down with John Marshall and Steve Goodrich of the Shared Services Leadership Coalition to chart the past, present, and what’s next in federal shared services, from payroll consolidation and NASA’s model to today’s QSMOs and a legislative plan to turn modernization from pilots into standard practice.

Show Notes
SSLC: Shared Services Leadership Coalition 
NSSC: NASA Shared Services Center

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Oct. 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit
Oct. 26-28, 2025: ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC 

Robert and Adam are sailing solo on this special episode of the GovNavigators Show, featuring an in-depth discussion of recent developments from OPM, OMB, GAO, and more. With the end of the fiscal year fast approaching, the GovNavigators are here to make sense of the storm. Hold on tight!

Show Notes: 

OPM: New Guidelines for Performance Reviews

OMB: Updates to A-11

GAO: New Video

Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar

September 24-25, 2025: AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

 October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome back Charles Cooper of Brumidi Group for a frank look at Congress’s crowded to-do list. From looming shutdown risks, rescissions, and the fight over appropriations to the fate of healthcare extenders, the farm bill, and other expiring programs, Charles explains why the path forward is rockier than ever—and where bipartisan opportunities may still emerge.

Show Notes:

 Combined Federal Campaign: Website

 Treasury and GSA: SAVE Program

Events on GovNavigators' Radar:

September 16-18, 2025  

• Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025  

• GovExec’s GAIN Conference 

September 17, 2025 

• ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit 

September 24-25, 2025 

• AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Anne Meeker, Deputy Director of the PopVox Foundation, for a conversation on making Congress work better. From the overlooked power of casework to AI’s role in shaping legislative oversight, Anne shares how small reforms can strengthen trust and improve service delivery across government.

Show Notes

OMB: Circular A-11

Circular A-129

GSA: New ServiceNow Deal

Events on GovNavigators' Radar

September 9-12, 2025  

• Billington Cybersecurity Summit 

September 11, 2025 

• RSM’s Quarterly Government Services Webinar 

September 16-18, 2025  

• Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025  

• GovExec’s GAIN Conference 

September 17, 2025 

• ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit 

September 24-25, 2025 

• AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

In this special Labor Day pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert reflect on the importance of the labor movement, tease some big news for the Navigators family, and preview what’s ahead as Congress returns to town. With the fiscal year’s end approaching, expect debates over rescissions, reconciliation, the NDAA, and the President’s Management Agenda—plus the looming possibility of a government shutdown.

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Jason Miller, Executive Editor at Federal News Network, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of federal acquisition and IT leadership. From the long-awaited FAR overhaul and GSA’s contracting shifts to the evolving role of the federal CIO, Jason unpacks what these changes mean for agencies, industry, and small businesses alike.

Show Notes

OMB: Improper Payments Memo

EO: Improving our Nation Through Better Design

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar

August 25, 2025: A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

September 16-18, 2025: Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025: GAIN 2025 (Marketing Conference)

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with George Guszcza, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences, along with Tom Scott and Paul Firth of Alvarez & Marsal, for a timely discussion on modernizing federal real estate. From shifting work patterns and aging infrastructure to public-private partnerships, our guests highlight the challenges and opportunities facing agencies today.

Show NotesOPM Award Guidance 
Jason Miller Op-Ed: DHS Contract Reviews
DOJ Guidance 
New Grants Guidance 

Events on the GovNavigators' RadarCelonis: Public Sector Process Intelligence Day (08/19/25)
Data Foundation: Virtual AI Forum: Data and Policy in the Age of AI (08/20/25)
ACT-IAC: A Hole in One (08/25/25)

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam meet with Darren Ash, former federal CIO of multiple agencies, most recently at the Department of the Interior. Ash shares wisdom gained over an expansive career in government, including how IT innovation can transform public service.

Show Notes

NEW EO: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking

GSA: Adding Leading AI Software to Award Schedules

GAO: Ruling on DOT Impoundment

NIST: Updated Digital Identity Guidelines

FOR ADAM'S FELLOW EM-DASH LOVERS: Wisdom from Poe

Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar

August 19, 2025: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day 

August 20, 2025: Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Nominate presenters by 7/31 here; register here.)