On this episode of Former Fed Friday, Hunter Gros and Shelley McGuire welcomes Merri-Ellen James, former CMS leader and now Client Relations Executive at RELI Group who shares insights shaped by more than two decades leading complex healthcare programs, technology initiatives, and fraud prevention efforts.

Drawing on her experience across government and industry, she unpacks how effective problem-solving starts with strong communication, deep understanding of the environment, and taking the time to identify what you don’t know before jumping to solutions. The conversation explores the shift from federal to industry perspectives, the importance of aligning solutions with real agency constraints, and how cross-program collaboration can unlock smarter, more scalable approaches.

From practical lessons on stakeholder alignment to the importance of continuously “checking back” on shared definitions and goals, this episode offers a grounded look at what it really takes to deliver mission-focused, sustainable solutions in today’s federal landscape.

To connect with Merri-Ellen visit her on LinkedIn here.

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