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Announcing the 2024 FedScoop 50

FedScoop received a record number of votes across five categories in 2024 to honor the brilliant leaders, innovative decision-makers and tireless workers making the federal government more efficient and effective through the use of technology.

Scoop News Group is thrilled to announce the winners of the FedScoop 50 awards for 2024!

Now in their 13th year, the FedScoop 50 awards honor the most impactful leaders in the federal government who strive each day to leverage technology to transform government. Scoop News Group once again experienced record voting for the FedScoop 50 in 2024, receiving more than 1 million votes across five categories.

As the Biden administration comes to a close, and the federal government prepares for a period of transition, it’s an apt time to reflect on the transformation ushered in over the past year at the hands of selfless government officials and industry partners dedicated to bringing progress to our nation and the American people. As a new administration steps in next January, the gains made in areas like artificial intelligence adoption and governance, cybersecurity modernization through the implementation of zero-trust security architectures, the transformation of digital experience for high-impact government services, and others will serve as a blueprint for how the nation can continue to modernize and serve its citizens in the digital age.

This year’s recipients for the FedScoop 50 are brilliant leaders, innovative decision-makers and tireless workers dedicated to public service and making the federal government more efficient and effective through the use of technology.

Also, a huge thanks to the sponsors of this year’s list: Amazon Web Services, Google for Government, Salesforce, SAP | Carahsoft, and T-Mobile for Government.

Please join us in congratulating the winners, listed below alphabetically by each category, and sharing the list across social media and other platforms.

Madison Alder, Matt Bracken, Rebecca Heilweil, Billy Mitchell and Caroline Nihill contributed to this list.

FedScoop 50 2024

Paul Abbate

Deputy Director, FBI

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

A long-time FBI official, Paul Abbate has been serving as deputy director of the FBI since February 2021. In his current role he oversees investigative and intelligence activity domestically and internationally, but his career at the agency started in 1996. Abbate’s first role was as a special agent in the criminal division of the New York Field Office and a member of the SWAT team. Since then, he deployed to Iraq as an FBI liaison to the Defense Department, deployed to Libya and Afghanistan as an on-scene commander, and served in leadership roles within the Washington Field Office, Los Angeles Field Office, and Detroit Division. In 2016, he was appointed as executive assistant director for the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch and in 2018 he was named associate deputy director of the FBI. His most recent leadership roles at the agency have spanned two presidential administrations. Abbate was in the national spotlight this year when he testified before Congress on the FBI’s investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

FedScoop 50 2024

Leslie Beavers

Acting CIO, Department of Defense

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Leslie Beavers, who served as the principal deputy CIO for the Department of Defense since May 2023, stepped in as acting CIO of the department this July after John Sherman retired from the role over the summer. In both roles, Beavers has been instrumental in driving modernization efforts for the Pentagon and military services, largely by breathing life into the DOD’s new Fulcrum IT modernization strategy. But that is just one of the many key initiatives Beavers is responsible for now as the Pentagon’s top IT official, including the rapid adoption of zero-trust security architecture across the department, the successful adoption of the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, improving the IT customer experience of DOD personnel and supporting other major department priorities like Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), among others.

FedScoop 50 2024

Guy Cavallo

CIO and Acting Chief AI Officer, Office of Personnel Management

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Guy Cavallo has been the Office of Personnel Management’s top information technology official since July 2021 where he’s led the agency’s modernization efforts and migration to the cloud. Before joining OPM in 2020 as a principal deputy CIO, Cavallo served as deputy CIO at the Small Business Administration where he led efforts to use the cloud to implement the pandemic-era Payroll Protection Program and its Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs. Earlier in his career, Cavallo worked at Microsoft for over nine years and as TSA’s executive director for IT Operations. In a discussion with Scoop News Group earlier this year, Cavallo said to be a model employer it’s important the federal government supports hybrid work. An initiative he started, for example, allowed workers to work remotely with the same technologies that they would have in the office as well as the ability for workers to use their OPM phone numbers via the internet.

FedScoop 50 2024

Ann Dunkin

CIO, Department of Energy

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Ann Dunkin, Chief Information Officer at the Department of Energy, has been instrumental in transforming the agency’s IT infrastructure to enhance security, efficiency, and innovation. With a strong commitment to modernizing federal systems, Dunkin has led efforts to strengthen DOE’s cybersecurity posture, integrating advanced technologies and comprehensive security protocols to protect critical energy infrastructure. She has championed cloud migration initiatives, enabling faster, more secure data access and improving operational agility across the agency. Under her leadership, the DOE has also prioritized data-driven decision-making, streamlining data accessibility to support research and policy advancements in clean energy and national security. Dunkin’s approach emphasizes sustainability and resilience, aligning IT advancements with DOE’s broader mission to promote energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Her work has positioned the DOE as a leader in federal technology innovation, helping the agency better support the nation’s energy goals while remaining adaptable to emerging challenges.

FedScoop 50 2024

Dr. Kelly Fletcher

CIO, Department of State

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

For the past two years, Fletcher has been leading the Department of State’s roughly $3 billion cybersecurity and IT portfolio and serving as the assistant-secretary level head for the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology. She came to the department by way of the Department of Defense, where she served as principal deputy CIO. In her government career, Fletcher has focused on technology and strategic resourcing domains. Earlier this year, Fletcher announced the department was rolling out an internal AI chatbot for its staff as generative AI capabilities have taken off. That tool was something the agency’s workforce asked for, Fletcher said in those remarks, calling it a means to “let people experiment.”

FedScoop 50 2024

Jason Gray

CIO, USAID

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

As the Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development, Jason Gray leads efforts to modernize the agency’s IT systems, enhance cybersecurity, and support the agency’s global development mission through technology. Gray has overseen significant strides in digital transformation, improving the efficiency and security of systems that support USAID’s work in over 100 countries. In recent years, Gray has focused on cloud migration, data analytics, and advancing the agency’s cybersecurity framework to safeguard sensitive data in high-risk global environments. Also, USAID is a perennial “A student” under Gray’s leadership for the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s FITARA Scorecard initiative.

FedScoop 50 2024

Mina Hsiang

Administrator, U.S. Digital Service

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Mina Hsiang, the Administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, has led efforts for the team to partner with other federal agencies to improve modernization efforts and digital services. These efforts include rebuilding veteran trust through developing software with the Department of Veterans Affairs, piloting a program to notify citizens about benefits and support programs with Notify.gov, assisting with the IRS’s Direct File pilot program and more. Hsiang previously served as a Senior Advisor to the COVID Response within USDS and in multiple leadership roles within Devoted Health. Hsiang also worked as the founder and Executive Director of the Digital Service team at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

FedScoop 50 2024

Eric Hysen

CIO and Chief AI Officer, Department of Homeland Security

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Eric Hysen has held the position of Chief Information Officer at the Department of Homeland Security since 2021. More recently, he was also assigned the position of Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Through his position, Hysen has been at the forefront of coordinating the agency’s IT and software goals, including focusing on customer experience and expanding innovation. He’s also focused on advancing the agency’s use of artificial intelligence, which is continuing to grow and include technologies like facial recognition and a generative AI program at FEMA.

FedScoop 50 2024

Clare Martorana

U.S. Federal CIO, Executive Office of the President

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Clare Martorana serves as the Federal CIO in the Executive Office of the President, where she is responsible for overseeing the federal government’s IT portfolio and cybersecurity posture. A strong advocate for IT modernization, Martorana has led efforts to improve government-wide digital services, modernize legacy systems, and enhance cybersecurity. Under her leadership, the Federal CIO Office has championed initiatives like zero trust architecture and secure cloud adoption across federal agencies, driving efficiency and security at scale. During the past year in particular, Martorana’s team has overseen a flurry of new technology policy delivery, to include guidance for agencies to operationalize the AI executive order, new digital experience mandates and a long-awaited FedRAMP modernization policy.

FedScoop 50 2024

Drew Myklegard

U.S. Deputy Federal CIO, Executive Office of the President

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Drew Myklegard, the Deputy Federal CIO in the Executive Office of the President, plays a critical role in advancing the federal government’s IT modernization efforts. Myklegard supports Federal CIO Clare Martorana in executing government-wide technology policies, ensuring compliance with federal IT standards, and driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. He has been instrumental in implementing strategies for cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital service delivery, all while focusing on ensuring seamless integration and security across various federal agencies. Myklegard was a key and vocal proponent shepherding the Biden administration’s FedRAMP modernization guidance from a draft memo to official policy in 2024.

FedScoop 50 2024

Melinda Rogers

CIO, Department of Justice

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Melinda Rogers has helped lead the management of IT policy at the Department of Justice for over a decade. She has served as the agency’s CIO for more than four years and was previously its deputy CIO and chief information security officer. As DOJ’s top IT official, Rogers oversees a roughly $3.5 billion portfolio including efforts to modernize its infrastructure, manage data, and ensure secure information-sharing across numerous law enforcement agencies. Recently, she has focused on enhancing cybersecurity within DOJ’s systems and supporting large-scale digital transformation efforts to streamline operations. Rogers’ leadership has been key in protecting sensitive data and ensuring DOJ’s technology landscape remains secure and effective.

FedScoop 50 2024

Danny Werfel

Commissioner, IRS

Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year

Danny Werfel’s tech priorities were on full display in his second year as IRS commissioner, with the launch of new digital products, an acceleration of modernization priorities and the embrace of artificial intelligence to improve customer service and enhance enforcement efforts. The crown jewel of the past year for Werfel was the agency’s successful Direct File pilot, a free electronic filing program that earned permanent status and is set for expansion across the country next tax season. Werfel said in May that Direct File represents the IRS’s “effort to make taxes as easy as possible for Americans, including saving time and money.” Going forward, he’s looking to AI to “help taxpayers get the answers they need. … We have a strong baseline and momentum in using [Inflation Reduction Acts] funds, of starting to build AI, build chatbots and other solutions to go after these basic questions, but we’re really just getting started.”

FedScoop 50 2024

Tony Arcadi

CIO, Department of Treasury

Federal Leadership

As the Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Tony Arcadi oversees IT strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation efforts across the department. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing Treasury’s technology modernization, particularly in migrating legacy systems to the cloud, namely through the department’s $1.3 billion T-Cloud program, and enhancing data analytics capabilities. In recent years, Arcadi has spearheaded initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity defenses in response to growing cyber threats, ensuring compliance with federal security mandates. His efforts have focused on improving operational efficiency through innovative solutions and ensuring the secure management of sensitive financial data.

FedScoop 50 2024

Hemant Baidwan

CISO, Department of Homeland Security

Federal Leadership

As the Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, Hemant Baidwan is responsible for overseeing the agency’s approach to cybersecurity and ensuring compliance with myriad federal guidelines. Baidwan has worked at the department for several years and previously served as deputy CISO. While at DHS, Baidwan has focused on everything from ensuring information security to leading the agency’s Hack DHS program. Last year, he won a department Innovation Award. Baidwan also recently joined the General Services Administration’s new FedRAMP board, which is meant to help accelerate the government’s cloud adoption.

FedScoop 50 2024

Sheena Burrell

CIO, National Archives and Records Administration

Federal Leadership

Sheena Burrell serves as the Chief Information Officer for the National Archives and Records Administration, where she is responsible for the organization’s digital infrastructure and the preservation of vast amounts of government records. Burrell has been a key figure in advancing NARA’s digital transformation initiatives, including efforts to digitize records and ensure their long-term preservation in compliance with federal law. Under her leadership, NARA has enhanced its cybersecurity posture to protect national records from emerging threats while improving public access to historical government documents. Artificial intelligence adoption is, of course, also top of mind for Burrell and NARA, and the agency has listed about a dozen AI use cases in its public inventory.

FedScoop 50 2024

Terry Carpenter

CIO, National Science Foundation

Federal Leadership

As the Chief Information Officer of the National Science Foundation, Terry Carpenter oversees IT operations, cybersecurity, and the technological support of NSF’s mission to advance science. Carpenter has led critical efforts in IT modernization, including enhancing NSF’s cloud capabilities and implementing advanced data management systems. His work ensures that NSF can securely support large-scale research initiatives and collaborations with scientists worldwide. Speaking at the Elastic Public Sector Summit, produced by FedScoop, in March, Carpenter highlighted the delicate balance NSF faces in adopting generative AI. “It takes a lifetime to build a reputation; it takes a moment to lose it,” he said of the perils that come with the technology, if not used properly.

FedScoop 50 2024

Kirsten Dalboe

Chief Data Officer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Leadership

Kirsten Dalboe is the Chief Data Officer at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Chief Data Officer Council chair. Dalboe started her career in the private sector for companies like SAIC, Chemonics International and Booz Allen Hamilton before entering the federal landscape with the Department of Homeland Security where she achieved a data leadership position within DHS. Later, Dalboe joined the Department of Health and Human Services as Director of Data Operations where she led efforts to build a cloud-based integrated data platform before she started at the FERC.

FedScoop 50 2024

Mike Duffy

Acting Federal CISO, Executive Office of the President

Federal Leadership

With nearly 17 years of experience in increasingly high-level cybersecurity positions at the Department of Homeland Security, Mike Duffy was a logical choice to take over as acting Federal CISO in May when Chris DeRusha left the position for the private sector. Prior to his elevation to the White House, Duffy spent three years as the associate director for capacity building for CISA’s cybersecurity division, leading the federal cyber portfolio and the federal government’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program. Duffy, who chairs the Federal CISO Council, has also overseen the government’s cyber practitioner training portfolio and aided federal and private sector critical infrastructure officials in meeting federal targets on security and modernization.

FedScoop 50 2024

Brian Epley

CIO, Department of Commerce

Federal Leadership

After serving almost two years as principal deputy CIO for the Department of Energy, Brian Epley was tapped in June for the top IT job at the Department of Commerce, where he now oversees a roughly $2.9 billion IT budget. Epley was primed for the challenge after having helped guide the DOE’s strategy on cybersecurity, data usage, digitization and the protection and modernization of IT. Prior to his time at DOE, Epley spent six years at the Environmental Protection Agency following many years in private sector leadership positions.

FedScoop 50 2024

Marcela Escobar-Alava

CIO, Social Security Administration

Federal Leadership

Since joining the Social Security Administration last March, Marcela Escobar-Alava has wasted no time in playing a pivotal role in an accelerated digital transformation, immediately embarking on a listening tour to help formulate a modernization strategy for an agency gung ho on ditching its paper-based past. The former White House deputy director of technology told FedScoop in an interview this year that there has been plenty of work to do in stripping out elements of legacy tools and establishing target architecture. “Now we need to start connecting the dots with what is really driving the business measures and some of the results,” she said.

FedScoop 50 2024

Dr. Matthew Graviss

Chief Data Officer & Chief AI Officer , Department of State

Federal Leadership

Dr. Matthew Graviss has been leading the Department of State’s AI efforts as its top data and AI official for nearly four years. In that capacity, he oversees projects such as the launch of the department’s AI-powered chatbot and its “North Star” tool for analyzing news stories. On a panel with Secretary Antony Blinken earlier this year, Graviss described the department’s philosophy with AI as getting the technology out for people to use it, making sure it’s secure, and letting the best use cases rise to the top. Before the Department of State, Graviss held leadership roles at DHS, including chief data officer of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

FedScoop 50 2024

Cynthia Kaiser

Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Division, FBI

Federal Leadership

Cynthia Kaiser serves as the Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the bureau’s cybersecurity strategy. Kaiser is a leading expert in combating cybercrime, working closely with federal agencies, international partners, and the private sector to counter threats from state actors, cybercriminals, and hacktivists. In recent years, she has focused on improving collaboration across sectors to bolster the country’s defenses against cyber threats, leading initiatives that integrate advanced technologies and threat intelligence sharing. Kaiser also sees a huge opportunity for AI to bolster the FBI’s ability to combat cybercrime and unmask cybercriminals.

FedScoop 50 2024

Ted Kaouk

Chief Data Officer & Chief AI Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Federal Leadership

After serving lengthy chief data officer stints with the Department of Agriculture and Office of Personnel Management, Ted Kaouk took on a new challenge nearly a year ago when he joined the CFTC as its CDO and chief AI officer. The former chair of the CDO Council, Kaouk is now tasked with overseeing the 15 billion records that the derivatives markets regulator ingests and manages each day. In an interview with FedScoop this year, Kaouk said he’s in the process of developing an integrated data and AI strategy for the agency and is keen on “exploring how generative AI may be used at the commission in the future.”

FedScoop 50 2024

Robert King

Chief Data Officer, Department of Energy

Federal Leadership

Robert King, a long-time data expert, has served as the Chief Data Officer at the Energy Department since last summer. Before joining Energy, he worked at both the Social Security Administration and at the Department of Homeland Security. Throughout his career, which began in the public sector as an IT systems architect, King focused on improving analytics, data management, and governance strategies, among other areas. He’s also set his sights on considering how data might help advance AI goals within the government.

FedScoop 50 2024

Ann Lewis

Director of Technology Transformation Services, General Services Administration

Federal Leadership

Ann Lewis serves as the Director of Technology Transformation Services for the General Services Administration and chairs the Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee, which was established last year. Lewis oversees the committee’s mission to provide recommendations to both the GSA administrations and federal agencies for cloud computing use. Prior to her appointment as TTS director, Lewis served as a software engineer for various companies and then served as Director of Engineering for Pedgago. She also worked as a Chief Technology Officer at Next Street and a Senior Advisor for Technology and Delivery for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FedScoop 50 2024

David McKeown

CISO, Department of Defense

Federal Leadership

David McKeown is the Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity for the Department of Defense, where he is responsible for securing one of the most critical and complex IT infrastructures in the world. McKeown has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at enhancing the DOD’s cybersecurity posture, including the implementation of zero-trust architecture to reduce vulnerabilities and bolster defense mechanisms against evolving threats. In recent years, he has played a leading role in complying with federal cybersecurity mandates and ensuring the integrity of the DOD’s extensive cloud environments and sensitive defense networks. His efforts are pivotal in maintaining national security and safeguarding defense information.

FedScoop 50 2024

Adele Merritt

CIO, U.S. Intelligence Community

Federal Leadership

Adele Merritt serves as the Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of enterprise-wide IT solutions that enhance collaboration and intelligence sharing across various agencies. Merritt has been instrumental in modernizing the IC’s IT infrastructure, promoting the adoption of cloud technologies, modern cybersecurity practices and advanced analytics, among others. Merritt is also committed to integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and intelligence gathering. Under her leadership, the IC this summer released a new information technology roadmap to guide intelligence agencies to make transformative decisions about the cloud environment, cybersecurity, advanced computing, data analysis, and artificial intelligence among an array of other technology issues.

FedScoop 50 2024

Eric Mill

Executive Director for Cloud Strategy, General Services Administration

Federal Leadership

Eric Mill, the General Services Administration’s Executive Director for Cloud Strategy, has led a slew of efforts for the government’s adoption of cloud services through the GSA’s Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). Mill is less than a year into his tenure within GSA and has led the agency in releasing a FedRAMP roadmap, kickstarting advisory and governance boards, beginning pilot projects and assisting with the final issuance of FedRAMP guidance from the executive branch. Mill started his career with the GSA as a senior advisor before becoming the deputy director of the agency’s Login.gov. He also served as a senior technology advisor to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., through the Senate Committee on Rules & Administration. He worked for Google in the public sector for a year before rejoining the government at the Office of Management and Budget in 2021.

FedScoop 50 2024

Daniel Morgan

Chief Data Officer, Department of Transportation

Federal Leadership

Daniel Morgan, Chief Data Officer at the Department of Transportation, has spearheaded significant advancements in data management and analytics across federal transportation initiatives. With a focus on transparency, accessibility, and data-driven decision-making, Morgan has driven initiatives that enable both policymakers and the public to access critical transportation data through improved digital platforms. Under his leadership, the DOT launched several key data initiatives, including the modernization of data infrastructure to enhance safety and efficiency in transportation systems. Morgan has also championed the integration of emerging technologies like AI and machine learning, transforming data into actionable insights to support public safety, infrastructure planning, and policy development. He played a pivotal role in increasing collaboration with private sector partners, ensuring that DOT’s data initiatives remain forward-looking and robust.

FedScoop 50 2024

Nand Mulchandani

CTO, CIA

Federal Leadership

Nand Mulchandani is the Chief Technology Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he drives innovation in the agency’s technology strategies. With a background in Silicon Valley, Mulchandani brings a unique perspective to the CIA, focusing on adopting cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing. He has been instrumental in enhancing the CIA’s ability to process and analyze massive amounts of data for intelligence purposes. Mulchandani’s leadership has significantly contributed to the modernization of the CIA’s digital infrastructure, ensuring that the agency remains agile and capable of addressing emerging security challenges. Prior to joining the CIA, he was the chief technologist for the Pentagon’s Joint AI Center.

FedScoop 50 2024

Yemi Oshinnaiye

CIO, Transportation Security Agency

Federal Leadership

Since May 2022, Yemi Oshinnaiye has served as chief information officer for the Transportation Security Administration, where he has focused on the information technology and software used by the agency. Before his current position, Oshinnaiye worked at another Homeland Security subcomponent, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, where he had a similar focus, and he first joined the department more than a decade ago as an IT specialist. In his current position, he’s focused on many IT initiatives, including the IT Lift Cell Innovation Lab, which he’s described as an Apple Genius bar for IT at the TSA.

FedScoop 50 2024

Kaschit Pandya

CTO, IRS

Federal Leadership

Since joining the IRS in 2013, Kaschit Pandya has taken on a variety of roles, ranging from director of infrastructure services to deputy CIO for filing season & tax reform and even interim CIO. Since July 2023, he has settled in as chief technology officer, where he’s charged with developing the tax agency’s long-term technology roadmap and ensuring that it’s aligned with business strategy. Pandya’s leadership in cloud-driven innovation and experience with managing mission-critical information systems is especially valuable to the IRS at a time when the tax agency is continuing its modernization push and launching new products like the Direct File free electronic filing program.

FedScoop 50 2024

Lakshmi Raman

Director of AI , CIA

Federal Leadership

As the Director of Artificial Intelligence at the CIA, Lakshmi Raman leads efforts to integrate AI and machine learning technologies into the agency’s intelligence operations. Despite the secretive nature of intelligence agencies, the CIA is actively embracing artificial intelligence in line with the 2023 Biden administration AI executive order, she explained in an interview with FedScoop earlier this year. Raman has focused on developing AI tools that enhance data analysis and decision-making, helping the CIA process large-scale information more effectively. And while there are inevitable limitations due to classification restrictions when working with commercial AI products, the CIA is making significant advancements in AI technology deployment, she told FedScoop.

FedScoop 50 2024

James Saunders

CIO, Office of Personnel Management

Federal Leadership

James Saunders is the Chief Information Security Officer at the Office of Personnel Management, where he oversees cybersecurity efforts to protect the personal data of millions of federal employees. Saunders has played a critical role in improving OPM’s cybersecurity infrastructure, particularly following high-profile breaches in the past. In recent years, he has focused on implementing stronger encryption standards, enhancing incident response capabilities, and transitioning OPM’s systems to a more secure cloud-based environment with zero-trust security measures. Saunders’ leadership ensures the protection of sensitive federal employee information and supports broader federal initiatives in cybersecurity resilience.

FedScoop 50 2024

Micky Tripathi

Assistant Secretary for Tech Policy & Acting Chief AI Officer, Department of Health and Human Services

Federal Leadership

Micky Tripathi took on new responsibility this year after a reshuffle of HHS’s cyber, IT, and AI portfolios put him at the helm as the department’s assistant secretary for technology policy and acting chief AI officer. Tripathi had already served as national coordinator for health IT before the reorganization — a role which he still holds — and has been with HHS since January 2021. In a recent interview with FedScoop, Tripathi said a priority for him was having policies in place so that employees embrace AI rather than shying away from it. Prior to HHS Tripathi had a career in the private sector as well, most recently as chief alliance officer for Arcadia, executive advisor for LRVHealth, as well as a member of the board of directors for Datica, the HL7 FHIR Foundation, and the Sequoia Project. Earlier in his career, Tripathi previously led the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative and the Indiana Health Information Exchange.

FedScoop 50 2024

Zach Whitman

Chief Data Scientist & Chief AI Officer, General Services Administration

Federal Leadership

After years working in disaster research, the private sector and a multi-year stint at the U.S. Census Bureau, Zach Whitman became the General Services Administration’s Chief Data Scientist in 2023, before being named the agency’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer as well. Whitman was one of the first federal CAIOs named following the Biden administration’s AI executive order. Before his position at GSA leading AI efforts, Whitman’s experience with AI was at the practitioner level during his time as a consultant: When he first entered the government, he worked with the technology at a managerial level and focused on the technology to help with efficiencies. In his most recent appointment, he is focused on compliance with the executive branch’s guidance and requirements for AI and transparency with deployments.

FedScoop 50 2024

Charles Worthington

CTO & Chief AI Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs

Federal Leadership

Charles Worthington is the dual-hatted Chief Technology Officer and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs and has been with the agency since 2017. In his current position, he works to improve veterans’ digital experience while also helping the VA’s IT office adopt modern DevSecOps practices. Worthington is credited with guiding the VA’s transformation strategy, which includes the adoption of commercial cloud infrastructure and enhancing digital services. Before his tenure at the VA, Worthington spent time in both the public and private sectors as a Presidential Innovation Fellow and a senior advisor in the Office of Science and Technology Policy where played a role in standing up the U.S. Digital Service.

FedScoop 50 2024

Jennifer Chronis

Vice President, Public Sector, Broadcom

Industry Leadership

Jennifer Chronis is the Vice President of Public Sector at Broadcom, where she leads the company’s public sector strategy, focusing on delivering semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions to government agencies. Chronis has played a pivotal role in helping federal clients modernize their IT infrastructures, improve cybersecurity, and optimize data management. Under her leadership, Broadcom has continued to expand its influence in the public sector, providing innovative solutions that support mission-critical government operations.

FedScoop 50 2024

Mike Daniels

Senior Vice President of Public Sector, UiPath

Industry Leadership

Mike Daniels serves as the Senior Vice President of Public Sector at UiPath, where he is responsible for the company’s automation solutions for federal, state, and local governments. Daniels has been a key figure in advancing the adoption of robotic process automation (RPA) across government agencies, helping them streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. In recent years, Daniels has focused on leveraging UiPath’s AI-driven automation tools to help agencies increase efficiency and better meet the needs of citizens.

FedScoop 50 2024

Michelle Faison-Oldham

National Director, Federal Civilian, T-Mobile for Government, T-Mobile

Industry Leadership

Michelle Faison-Oldham is the National Director of Federal Civilian at T-Mobile for Government, where she is responsible for providing wireless solutions to federal civilian agencies. Faison-Oldham has led key initiatives to improve government communications, connectivity, and cybersecurity through T-Mobile’s 5G network. She focuses on delivering tailored solutions that enhance agency operations, supporting remote work and mission-critical communications. Her recent work has involved collaborating with agencies to ensure secure, reliable access to wireless technologies that are essential for modern government operations.

FedScoop 50 2024

Amy Gilliland

President, GDIT

Industry Leadership

As the President of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Amy Gilliland oversees a vast portfolio of IT services and solutions for government clients, including the Department of Defense, federal civilian agencies, and intelligence communities. Under her leadership, GDIT has become a leader in cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI, and digital modernization for the public sector. In recent years, Gilliland has championed initiatives that help federal agencies transition to cloud environments, enhance their cybersecurity defenses, and deploy advanced analytics for mission-critical operations.

FedScoop 50 2024

Christian Hoff

Director, US Federal Civilian & Health, Amazon Web Services

Industry Leadership

Christian Hoff is the Director of U.S. Federal Civilian and Health at Amazon Web Services, where he leads the public sector team in delivering cloud solutions to federal civilian and healthcare agencies. Hoff has been at the forefront of promoting cloud adoption across government, helping agencies leverage AWS’s capabilities to improve service delivery, scalability, and cybersecurity. His work focuses on providing secure cloud environments that meet stringent federal requirements while enabling agencies to innovate in areas such as data analytics and artificial intelligence.

FedScoop 50 2024

Lynn Martin

Group VP & GM Government, Workday

Industry Leadership

Lynn Martin is the Group Vice President and General Manager for Government at Workday, where she leads the company’s public sector strategy, delivering cloud-based enterprise resource planning and human capital management solutions to federal, state, and local governments. Martin has played a key role in helping government agencies modernize their workforce management and financial systems, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance. In recent years, she has focused on expanding Workday’s presence in the federal market, enabling agencies to better manage data and streamline administrative functions. Martin served as vice president at Google Public Sector until May 2024. 

FedScoop 50 2024

Brent Mitchell

Vice President Go-to-Market, Google Public Sector

Industry Leadership

Brent Mitchell serves as the Vice President of Go-to-Market at Google Public Sector, where he leads the strategic direction for Google’s solutions tailored to federal, state, and local governments. Mitchell has been instrumental in advancing the use of Google Cloud and AI technologies across the public sector, supporting government digital transformation and data analytics initiatives. He focuses on delivering secure, scalable solutions that help agencies modernize their IT infrastructure, optimize data management, and improve service delivery to citizens.

FedScoop 50 2024

Bobby New

VP, Public Sector Solutions Engineering, Trellix

Industry Leadership

Bobby New is the Vice President of Public Sector Solutions Engineering at Trellix, where he leads efforts to provide cybersecurity solutions to federal, state, and local governments. New is a driving force behind Trellix’s initiatives to protect critical government infrastructure from cyber threats, with a focus on threat intelligence, automation, and zero-trust security. In recent years, he has worked closely with federal agencies to implement advanced security strategies and tools that enhance their ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber risks.

FedScoop 50 2024

Kevin Paschuck

EVP, North America Public Sector and Education, Salesforce

Industry Leadership

Kevin Paschuck serves as the Executive Vice President for North America Public Sector and Education at Salesforce, where he leads efforts to deliver cloud-based customer relationship management solutions to government agencies and educational institutions. Paschuck has been instrumental in driving the adoption of Salesforce technologies across the public sector, helping agencies improve citizen engagement, service delivery, and operational efficiency. His leadership has been critical in supporting digital transformation initiatives that enhance transparency and accountability within government operations.

FedScoop 50 2024

Christopher Smith

Vice President & General Manager, North American Public Sector , Red Hat

Industry Leadership

Christopher Smith is the Vice President and General Manager of the North American Public Sector at Red Hat, where he oversees the company’s delivery of open-source solutions to federal, state, and local governments. Smith has been a key advocate for open-source technologies in the public sector, helping agencies modernize their IT infrastructure while maintaining security and scalability. He has led Red Hat’s efforts to support cloud adoption, DevOps, and containerization, enabling government agencies to accelerate digital transformation while improving operational efficiency.

FedScoop 50 2024

Chris Townsend

Vice President of Sales, Public Sector, Elastic

Industry Leadership

As the Vice President of Sales for the Public Sector at Elastic, Chris Townsend leads the company’s efforts to provide federal, state, and local governments with cutting-edge search, observability, and security solutions. Townsend has been instrumental in expanding Elastic’s footprint in the public sector, helping agencies harness the power of data through Elastic’s platform for real-time search and analytics.

FedScoop 50 2024

Michael Boyce

Director, AI Corps, Department of Homeland Security

Most Inspiring Up & Comer

Back in April, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Michael Boyce would serve as the head of its new AI Corps, an effort to recruit 50 technology experts to advance the agency’s AI goals. Boyce, a former policy analyst with the Office of Management and Budget, where he focused on FedRAMP and artificial intelligence. Before then, he worked at both the U.S. Digital Services and the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The AI Corps, which Boyce has said he wants to emulate the “digital service” model, has already started hiring.

FedScoop 50 2024

Luke Farrell

Senior Advisor for Delivery, U.S. Digital Service

Most Inspiring Up & Comer

Luke Farrell serves as a Senior Advisor for Delivery at the U.S. Digital Service, where he leads initiatives to improve the digital delivery of government services. Farrell focuses on transforming the way citizens and businesses interact with the federal government through technology, working on projects that enhance digital access, usability, and service delivery. His work spans multiple agencies, where he brings technical expertise and innovative strategies to streamline processes and ensure that public services are accessible and user-friendly. Since April he’s also taken on a role as Senior Advisor for Technology & Delivery, Domestic Policy Council within the White House.

FedScoop 50 2024

Caitlin Gandhi

Director, U.S. Digital Corps, General Services Administration

Most Inspiring Up & Comer

Caitlin Gandhi is the Director of the U.S. Digital Corps at the General Services Administration, where she co-founded and oversees the fellowship program designed to bring early-career technologists into government service. As such, Gandhi played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s mission to recruit diverse talent into federal IT roles and improve the government’s digital capabilities. Under her leadership, the U.S. Digital Corps has expanded its impact, placing technologists across federal agencies to address some of the government’s most pressing digital challenges. Gandhi has also recently taken on a new detail as the U.S. Digital Service’s Senior Advisor for Tech Talent and the White House’s AI & Tech Talent Task Force Coordinator.

FedScoop 50 2024

Hanna Kim

Director, Login.gov, General Services Administration

Most Inspiring Up & Comer

Hanna Kim is the director of Login.gov, which is administratively located within the Technology Transformation Services branch of the General Services Administration. Kim served as the Deputy Director for Login.gov leading up to her recent promotion. She has spent time in both private and public sectors, notably serving five years with Amazon dedicated to product management and global policy. Within the government, Kim has also worked for a short time in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy.

FedScoop 50 2024

Olivia Zhu

Sr. Policy Advisor, AI, Office of Science and Technology Policy

Most Inspiring Up & Comer

Olivia Zhu is the Assistant Director for Artificial Intelligence Policy at the White House. Before that, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor for AI in the White House after a stint as a Presidential Innovation Fellow. In her current position, she works on promoting the safe and trustworthy use of AI throughout the executive branch. Zhu has spent most of her career in the private sector, working with Google, Microsoft, Pinterest and Amazon with focuses on software development, program engineering, software engineering and managing AI and machine learning teams.

FedScoop 50 2024

IRS Direct File

Direct File, IRS

Innovation of the Year

An infusion of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act paired with a team of technical experts committed to improving customer experiences led to the IRS’s creation of a long-held priority for taxpayer advocates: a free electronic filing program.

The IRS launched its Direct File pilot program last tax season for filers in 12 states, taking a cautious approach as it offered an alternative to costly filing options sold by the tax preparation industry.

“We would only proceed in opening it up to larger, more progressive audiences when we were confident in the product’s ability to scale,” Merici Vinton, deputy service owner for Direct File, recalled during a July President’s Management Agenda event in Washington, D.C. Maintaining the trust of users “is what drove the decisions on how we proceeded.”

The IRS said the pilot “started out small” and picked up “steadily increasing interest” from filers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. At the end of the tax season, more than 140,000 taxpayers used Direct File, and the IRS received more than $90 million in refunds and reported $35 million in balances due.

A little more than a month after tax day, the IRS announced that Direct File was here to stay, with plans to expand the now-permanent program to filers across the country. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said the agency’s “North Star will be improving the experience of tax filing itself and helping taxpayers meet their obligations as easily and quickly as possible.”