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 This episode holds lasting insight we wanted to share again. 

In this inspiring episode of the IMPACT: Women in Leadership Podcast, host Mary Ann Brown welcomes Lisa Shea Mundt, Co-Founder of The Pulse of GovCon, a research and advisory firm transforming how companies compete in the federal contracting space.

With more than 14 years of experience in federal proposals and procurement strategy, Lisa has contributed to 200+ proposal efforts totaling billions of dollars in contract wins. She’s also a nationally respected trainer in Business Development, Capture Management, Proposal Management, and Orals Coaching—and is currently pursuing her PhD in Writing and Rhetoric at George Mason University.

In this candid conversation, Lisa shares:

• What drives her as a leader, mentor, and founder
• A defining moment that shaped her leadership style
• How resilience plays a critical role in long-term success
• Why mentorship matters—especially for women in technology and GovCon

Lisa also introduces The Pulse’s BD 360° methodology, a holistic approach to optimizing the federal sales engine and building a sustainable competitive edge.

As Past President of Women in Technology (WIT) and a board member of the JMU Federal Dukes Alumni Chapter, Lisa is deeply committed to opening doors for others—and leaving a legacy rooted in innovation, purpose, and confidence.

Whether you’re new to GovCon or a seasoned professional, this episode offers practical insight, leadership inspiration, and a powerful reminder of what it means to make an impact.

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

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In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown talks with Em Allan, Vice President of VA Operations at Oddball. Em shares how she leads multidisciplinary teams of engineers, program managers, UX designers, and product leads to deliver the seamless digital experiences and high-quality care veterans deserve. She explains what motivates her work and what “making an impact” personally means in the federal tech space.

Em also discusses how Oddball’s mission-driven culture has supported her growth. As a software consulting firm focused on modernizing federal citizen-centric services, Oddball empowers teams through strong engineering practices, human-centered design, cloud migration, DevOps excellence, and continuous delivery. Em highlights how this environment enables innovation and meaningful progress for the veteran community.

Throughout the conversation, Em reflects on building strong teams, leading with purpose, and fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines. She closes with actionable advice for women beginning their careers in federal tech and insights on how to create space for impactful leadership at every level.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyallan/

#WomenInLeadership #FederalTech #VeteransAffairs #DigitalModernization #Oddball #WomenInTech #LeadershipPodcast #GovTech #HumanCenteredDesign #ForumIMPACT #ForumIMPACTpodcast 

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

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In this episode of Forum IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Dolores Kuchina-Musina, PhD, CEO and Founder of REXOTA® Solutions—a powerhouse leader recognized for her work in federal contracting, public procurement innovation, small business growth, and cross-sector strategy. A Jacques S. Gansler Fellow, NCMA Fellow, and “Millennial on the Move,” Dolores brings over a decade of expertise navigating high-stakes federal, state, and international acquisitions.

Dolores shares how she manages multiple creative projects—including an audiobook, video series, a STEM children’s book featuring Mura the Dinocorn®, and a new OTA primer—while leading a boutique firm at the forefront of procurement innovation. She discusses misconceptions about OTAs, the value of deep-work “creation caves,” and what she hopes young readers take from Mura’s story. Dolores also offers memorable behind-the-scenes insights from her content creation process and powerful advice for women leading in male-dominated industries.

Contact: [email protected]

Hashtags: #WomenInLeadership #GovCon #FederalProcurement #PublicAdministration #STEMKids #OTAs #LeadershipPodcast #REXOTA® #MuraTheDinocorn®

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with the extraordinary Ann Dunkin—External Fellow and Distinguished Professor of the Practice at the Georgia Institute of Technology, CEO of Dunkin Global Advisors, and one of the nation’s most respected voices in technology leadership.

Ann brings decades of high-level experience across government, industry, and academia. She has served as CIO of both the U.S. Department of Energy (Biden-Harris Administration) and the Environmental Protection Agency (Obama Administration), spearheading groundbreaking initiatives in cybersecurity, cloud migration, digital transformation, and high-performance computing. Her leadership includes major roles at Dell Technologies, County of Santa Clara, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Hewlett-Packard—spanning engineering, strategy, operations, and innovation.

A published author and renowned speaker, Ann’s work explores the intersection of energy, AI, quantum, government modernization, and organizational transformation. Her contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including the Forbes CIO Next List 2024, multiple FedScoop Golden Gov Awards, the IISE Captains of Industry Award, the Fed 100 Award, and many more.

In this powerful conversation, Ann shares insights on leadership, digital transformation, academia, technological innovation, and the future of women at the forefront of global technology.

#ImpactWomenInLeadership #WomenInLeadership #WomenInTech #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #EnergyInnovation #GovernmentTech #GeorgiaTech #WomenWhoLead #CIO #LeadershipPodcast #STEMLeaders #InspiringWomen #PodcastsOnLeadership #DunkinGlobalAdvisors

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

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Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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Host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Emily Hsu, Senior Director of Solution Strategy at Steampunk, for a lively conversation about strategy, innovation, and leading with purpose in the ever-evolving world of government technology.

Known as a “strategist with soul,” Emily brings both heart and precision to the GovTech space — turning complex challenges into bold, practical solutions that move missions forward. She shares how she balances creativity with execution, builds collaborative teams, and keeps her focus on impact that lasts.

When she’s not driving transformation across federal agencies, Emily’s been helping build real homes and communities through 18 years with Habitat for Humanity — proving that meaningful change always starts with teamwork and follow-through.

💡 A fun, inspiring listen for leaders, innovators, and women reimagining what’s possible in public service.

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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Recorded live at the Impact & Inspire Women’s Luncheon, this powerful episode features a candid and energizing conversation with Alexa Tsui, Acting CEO of Forum and a transformative voice in today’s GovCom community.

Host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Alexa to unpack what authentic leadership  really looks like. Alexa shares her passion for building community, elevating women’s voices, and driving impact through connection and collaboration.

In this inspiring discussion, Alexa opens up about her experience as a breast cancer survivor, how resilience reshaped her leadership, and why embracing who you truly are is the key to leading with impact. Together, they explore:

• What it takes to lead with courage and authenticity
• GovCom, government + community
• The importance of elevating women and building real networks
• How adversity transforms your approach to fear, risk, and opportunity
• The future of leadership in a rapidly evolving industry

This live episode captures the energy, strength, and brilliance of women redefining what leadership looks like today.

#WomenInLeadership  #GovCom  #GovernmentCommunity  #WomenInGov   #WomenWhoLead  #AuthenticLeadership  #CommunityLeadership #LeadWithImpact  #ImpactAndInspire  #WomenSupportingWomen 

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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Host Mary Ann Brown welcomes Dr. Nicole Oxley, CEO/President of Oxley Enterprises, for a deep dive into leadership, legacy, and the art of making an impact in federal technology.

Dr. Oxley discusses her approach to building strong, high-performing teams, overcoming challenging situations, and staying ahead of rapid changes in technology. She also shares advice for women just starting their careers in federal tech and reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

💡 An inspiring conversation for leaders, innovators, and women looking to make their mark in government technology.

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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Host Mary Ann Brown welcomes Rebecca Link, Chief Growth Officer at OneGlobe LLC and a recognized leader in the federal contracting ecosystem. With over 16 years of experience driving business development, capture, and proposal excellence across Defense and Civilian sectors, Rebecca offers a grounded, insightful look at leadership in the GovCon world. 

She shares lessons on embracing vulnerability, championing responsible AI adoption, fostering high-performing teams, and finding opportunity in the unexpected. As a transformational leader, mentor, and widowed mother of two, Rebecca’s story is both inspiring and refreshingly human — a reminder that authenticity and empathy are cornerstones of sustainable leadership. 

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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Host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Joan Bishop, Chief Growth Officer at QualX LLC, for an inspiring conversation on leadership, legacy, and the power of purpose-driven impact.

With more than 35 years of experience shaping strategy and innovation across the Department of Defense, the Military Health System, and federal health agencies, Joan brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to thrive in the fast-evolving world of federal technology and Health IT.

From building decision-support tools for military medicine to leading large-scale transformation at the executive level, Joan shares her remarkable journey — along with the mentors who influenced her path, the projects that fueled her passion, and her advice for women forging their own careers in federal tech.

💡 A must-listen for anyone who believes that leadership is about courage, connection, and creating meaningful change.

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Carly Mitchell, 2025 Heroines of Washington Co-Chair and Partner at Guidehouse, to explore how leadership, legacy, and service define modern heroism.

As the Heroines of Washington Awards celebrates its 25th year—having honored 166 women and raised nearly $5.5 million for March of Dimes—Carly reflects on how the definition of a “heroine” has evolved and what timeless qualities still unite every woman recognized. 

She shares her perspective on balancing professional ambition with purpose-driven community impact, what sets truly transformative leaders apart, and how lasting legacies—like that of Legacy Heroine Jennifer Felix—inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Carly also offers heartfelt advice to women who doubt their ability to make a difference, reminding us that heroism often begins with one small act of service.

For more information on March of Dimes Heroines of Washington please visit:  https://www.marchofdimes.org/events/Event.aspx?eventId=23008&

#Leadership #CommunityImpact #Volunteerism #HeroinesOfWashington #MarchOfDimes #WomenInLeadership #Legacy #Empowerment #ImpactPodcast

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts