In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with John Foster, Chief Impact Officer at Fearless and one of the company’s earliest team members, to explore how his 15+ years of experience in digital services and mission-driven growth are shaping real outcomes across government.

The conversation dives into the growing shift toward state and local work, where tighter budgets and rising expectations are forcing agencies to rethink how they prioritize, modernize, and deliver services. John shares his perspective on where states are getting it right, where they struggle, and why truly understanding constituent needs is the foundation for any successful transformation.

From common pitfalls in modernization efforts to what effective collaboration between government and industry actually looks like, this episode highlights a consistent theme: success isn’t just about technology, it’s about alignment. Clear outcomes, shared decision-making, and strong communication across stakeholders ultimately determine whether projects succeed or stall.

This episode is a practical and honest look at how digital transformation really happens at the state level, and why people, more than technology, are often the biggest factor in getting it right.

To connect with John, follow him on LinkedIn here.