2025 Leadership Summit Breakout SessionsFebruary 11 - Breakout 1 Session 1
Strategic Systems Thinking for Leaders (Room 601)
This breakout session explores strategic systems thinking through the lens of a chief human capital officer. During this engaging and dynamic session, we will discuss the essential steps involved in developing a vision, formulating a strategic plan, getting buy-in, overcoming challenges and measuring success. Participants will leave with practical insights on how to apply these principles to drive organizational effectiveness and align any strategy with broader organizational goals. Facilitator 1: John Salamone
Prior to joining the House in June 2016, John was a Vice President at Federal Management Partners, Inc., a management consulting company. In this role, John led a team of consultants and oversaw a broad portfolio of human capital projects for federal departments and agencies. His other government career highlights include serving as the Executive Director of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and working as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. Before joining the Subcommittee, John served as a Presidential Management Fellow at OPM. John began his Senate career as an intern and Community Representative in a district office and eventually moved into a role as the office’s Assistant Personnel Director in Washington, DC. John received his Master’s in Public Administration, with a concentration in Management, from George Mason University. He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a former Strategic Advisor for Government Executives with the Partnership for Public Service. Facilitator 2: Solly Thomas
Solly currently serves as an executive coach and instructor for the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, which offers innovative coursework, benchmarking, action-learning projects, coaching and mentoring to prepare rising federal leaders to lead people and deliver results. His EIG coaching experience has included interagency and open enrollment programs, as well as cohorts from the departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Education. He also serves as a coach for the Department of Transportation’s SES onboarding program and for the DHS Capstone Program. Solly also serves as the instructor for the Senior Executive Assessment Program sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management. This program is designed to help senior federal managers assess their SES performance potential, determine readiness to go through the SES selection process and better understand what life in the SES is like. Previously, Solly was also a consultant at IBM, where he worked with federal agencies to design and implement human capital strategies and provided his clients with advice, subject matter expertise and thought leadership on a variety of workforce issues. When he retired from federal service in 2006, Solly was the acting associate director for human capital at OPM, where he led numerous government-wide programs, including human capital programs under the President’s Management Agenda, with an emphasis on leadership development, succession planning, and talent and performance management and performance management. He also managed the SES selection, performance management and certification programs, and designed and delivered leadership programs as an executive in residence at the OPM Eastern Management Development Center. In addition to his SES position at OPM, Solly was also the chief operating officer of the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Solly has a B.A. in economics from the University of Notre Dame. February 11 - Breakout 1 Session 2
Top Trends for AI in 2025 (Room 603)
As we enter the third year of government’s adoption of generative AI, this session will review how federal agencies have used generative AI up until now, where the technology is headed, and what this means for government. Facilitator: Wole Moses
February 11 - Breakout 1 Session 3
Engaging Employees Through Change (Room 606)
The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings consistently show that connection to mission is one of the key drivers of overall employee engagement and satisfaction. However, during periods of change, employees may have to find new ways of aligning their work with new strategic goals and priorities. The federal workforce is resilient during times of uncertainty, but it needs supportive leadership to continue to work effectively. This session will help executives identify how they can support their staff, listen intentionally to their concerns and be responsive to their needs. Facilitator 1: Dustin Thomas
Facilitator 2: Madeleine McCullough
February 11 - Breakout 1 Session 4Exploring Today's Budget Environment (Room 608)
This workshop presents an overview of the issues surrounding the federal budget in fiscal year 2025 and beyond. The session will outline national debt and deficit issues and discretionary and mandatory spending. In addition, the workshop will outline major deadlines and issues in the fiscal year 2025 budget cycle from executive and legislative branch perspectives. Facilitator: Ricardo Aguilera
February 11 - Breakout 2 Session 1Values-Driven Leadership (Room 601)Traditional leadership styles and philosophies involving a top-down hierarchical approach have existed for centuries. In comparison, values-driven leadership is a style and philosophy that focuses on authenticity, purpose and shared values. Both styles have their advantages, but which one best serves the mission and vision of your agency and leadership style? You’ll learn the difference between traditional and value-driven leadership, and the impact both can have on your agency. You’ll also reflect on your agency’s core values and consider if your leadership actions align with them. You will leave the session with ideas on how to integrate your core values to strengthen your commitment to a positive and productive work environment. Facilitator: Carolyn Owens
Carolyn served in the United States Navy for over 24 years and retired as a Navy commander in 2012. During her military career, she served as director of human capital management, a position that brought over 4,800 civilians, military and contract personnel under her responsibility umbrella. Her favorite assignment was serving as a professor in the Department of Command Leadership and Management at the United States Army War College. Upon retirement from military service, Carolyn decided to turn the roles she loved most during her military career—coach and mentor—into a second full-time professional career. She has become a leading authority on leadership and professional development and has worked with top leaders across the globe at the intersection of life and professional career choices. She supports clients with evaluating and adapting professional and personal life perspectives and challenging vertical and horizontal career transitions. Carolyn excels at discovering unrealized potential and new possibilities together with her clients. Her warm and caring personality, expansive capacity to partner with people who are working through strong emotions, and her joyful nature bring lightness to sometimes challenging coaching engagements. With each client, she strikes just the right balance between gentle compassion and firm accountability as well as goal setting, action planning and intuitive exploration. At the end of her coaching engagements, she often hears a version of: “Carolyn, I never thought I was able to get to where I am today. This feels like a dream come true that I didn’t even know I had.” February 11 - Breakout 2 Session 2The DNA of Learning: Creating Adaptive and Innovative Organizations (Room 603)In this session, participants will explore the critical elements of building a culture that thrives on learning, adaptation and innovation. Through interactive activities, attendees will examine how to destigmatize failure, extract meaningful lessons and foster curiosity by asking insightful questions. The session highlights practical strategies, including pre-mortems, measuring a failure rate and creating systems that support continuous improvement. Combining dynamic discussions with reflective exercises, this workshop empowers current and aspiring senior executives to lead their organizations toward greater adaptability and success in ambiguous and uncertain environments. Facilitator: Brad Staats
His teaching and research focus on how to improve individual learning and design organizations that create successful learning environments. He also incorporates analytics in this process so that data can drive decision-making. Brad investigates the understudied role of human behavior in learning and operational improvement He integrates work in operations management and behavioral science to understand how and under what conditions individuals, teams, and organizations can perform their best He conducts field-based research in such settings as health care and software services, consulting, call centers, and retail. He also uses archival data and field experiments to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to improve both theory and practice. Brad publishes frequently in and serves on the editorial boards of numerous leading academic journals, and his work has been featured in a variety of media outlets. He has won numerous teaching and research awards, including the Wickham Skinner Early-Career Research Accomplishments Award from the Production and Operations Management Society, the Poets & Quants award as one of the 40 most outstanding business-school professors under 40 in the world, and the Warren Bennis Prize for best article in Harvard Business Review on leadership. Brad received his Doctorate of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in technology and operations management, as well as his Master of Business Administration. He received his Bachelor of Science with honors in electrical engineering and his Bachelor of Arts with high honors in Plan 11 and Spanish from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was named the Most Outstanding Male Graduate of his graduating class. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a venture capitalist at a leading firm in the southeastern United States. Brad lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and three sons. He can frequently be found on the local baseball fields helping coach his kids' teams. February 11 - Breakout 2 Session 3Trust and Engagement in Teams During Times of Transition (Room 606)Times of transition can often test the trust and engagement of teams, making it harder for federal agency leaders to carry out their mission and serve the public. This session will explore ways leaders and their teams can navigate trust challenges, drawing on the experiences of other federal leaders and the Partnership’s Engaged Trust Framework. Attendees will come away with practical approaches to trust and engagement, with their teams and others in their agency. Facilitator 1: Will Jenkins
Facilitator 2: Hanadi Jordan
February 11 - Breakout 2 Session 4Creating a Culture of Accountability (Room 608)In this session, we’ll go over research on psychological safety and accountability as well as accountability models that have been successful in the federal government. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of how to engage in actions that shape culture at their agencies and support accountability. Facilitator: Shalini Benson
Mother of three, spouse, daughter, nonprofit Board Member, small business owner, leadership coach and friend. First generation Indian American with healthy dose of New Jersey-born pride. Pronouns are “she” and “her.” Pronounced “SHA-lyn-ee.” February 11 - Breakout 3 Session 1The Art of Meeting Facilitation for Leaders (Room 601)Did you know that the ability to design and facilitate effective and engaging meetings is vital for your success as a leader? Your ability to run meetings that engage your team members and stakeholders is especially important today, as workforces are gathering in-person, virtually and in hybrid settings. Join us to expand your leadership toolkit with a powerful facilitation module. Learn to design and manage meetings that consistently achieve results, engage the participants and ensure that every voice is heard. Explore facilitative mindset and competencies, and their application, and learn to appreciate the distinction between facilitative and directive approaches to leadership. Facilitator: Maria Fafard
February 11 - Breakout 3 Session 2Opportunities and Challenges in Presidential Transition (Room 603)Senior executives must serve as the bridge between career workforces and political appointees across government and ready themselves to engage in these critical relationships during changes of administration. In this session, glean lessons learned and best practices from the Center for Presidential Transition, the nation’s premier nonpartisan source of information and expertise on presidential transition. Facilitator: Valerie Smith Boyd
February 11 - Breakout 3 Session 3The Current Federal Workforce Landscape (Room 606)Right now, there are a lot of questions swirling about what it means to be a federal employee and the role of the career workforce. These issues can be challenging to navigate, especially during the start of a new administration. Join our experts who will provide an overview of the current landscape and be a resource to share information and answer questions. Facilitator 1: Michelle Amante
Facilitator 2: Jenny Mattingley
Facilitator 3: Scott Oswald
Mr. Oswald litigates employment lawsuits nationwide, with a special focus on whistleblower matters – including qui tam law, which can deliver monetary rewards to employees who expose fraud against the government. He has spoken up for workers before federal agencies and on Capitol Hill, and has broken new ground in whistleblower law:
Mr. Oswald received his law degree from Howard University, where his mentors included J. Clay Smith, and later honed his skills at Trial Lawyers College, a nonprofit created by the legendary Gerry Spence to train lawyers dedicated to “obtaining justice for individuals.” After starting his career in immigration law – an area he still follows but does not currently practice – Mr. Oswald turned his attention to workplace justice. He spent some time advising employers, then switched to the plaintiff’s side in 2002. Even today, his stint as a defense lawyer helps him to understand and better negotiate with opposing counsel. Since founding The Employment Law Group® law firm, Mr. Oswald has fought for employees’ rights under federal and state statutes, representing clients in a wide range of wrongful termination and contract matters. In 2004, he got a call that turned into the first of many whistleblower cases. Sheila Kalkunte, an attorney, had been fired after discovering wrongdoing with her employer’s financial statements. After being referred the case, Mr. Oswald pursued her whistleblower retaliation claim to trial under the still-fresh Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and won the first SOX verdict to withstand appeal. Since that case, Mr. Oswald has become a well-known attorney in the field of whistleblower law. His work has brought justice to many whistleblowers and retrieved millions for taxpayers, who are all affected by fraud against the government. Medicare fraud is a frequent subject in Mr. Oswald’s cases, and in one instance, he was able to help the government settle a case against a major pharmaceuticals company for more than $100 million. Mr. Oswald is consistently an innovator in using anti-retaliation laws to obtain money damages for clients, and even to prevent employers from firing whistleblowers. “We leverage every legal tool to fight for our clients as hard as we possibly can,” he says. “Our goal is to understand and achieve their goals, as long as it’s within the bounds of the law, ethics, and professionalism.” Mr. Oswald has been commended for his work by multiple organizations and publications. For over a decade, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America have considered him a stand-out attorney in the fields of employment law and qui tam law. Super Lawyers consistently names Mr. Oswald on their D.C. “Top 100” list. He has also been recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in D.C. by Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia magazine, and is ranked by Lawdragon as one of the top 500 plaintiff-side employment lawyers in the United States. Since 2021, Mr. Oswald has been ranked by Chambers, a prestigious global legal directory. In 2017, after 20 years practicing law, Mr. Oswald was nominated by his colleagues to become a fellow of the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in his first year of eligibility. He currently serves on the board of governors for the College. February 11 - Breakout 3 Session 4
Working and Leading Between HQ and Regional Offices (Room 608)This participant-driven roundtable will explore the opportunities and challenges inherent in fostering effective relationships between headquarters and regional leadership. The Partnership will facilitate discussion and offer case studies based on our experience working with agency partners on recruitment, retention and other workforce projects; our Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings;® our Front-Line Workers report; and our Engaged Trust TM framework. We’ll discuss how communications and decision-making structures between HQ and local teams affect employees’ perception of access to senior leaders, recognition, promotion, professional development and more. Facilitator 1: Eric Feldman
February 12 - Breakout 4 Session 1Preparing Your Financial Roadmap as a Senior Executive (Room 601)Most presentations on financial literacy for federal senior executives inundate the attendee with voluminous information without ensuring a successful ending. WRPS ensures that failure is not an option, without financial obligations. This is a unique educational experience that has benefited hundreds of executives in many agencies for the last sixteen years with copious help from executives. We speak government-speak and are familiar with the specific needs of government executives. A few small tweaks in what you are doing today will vastly improve your net financial results in retirement after a satisfying executive career. No products or services will be discussed. Facilitator: G.B. Bose
He holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in computer science from Villanova University. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics, with honors, at the University of Calcutta in India. He is an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA) and has taught Executive MBA students at Wharton. G.B. has worked as a senior executive for Wall Street’s largest financial firms. He is frequently invited to public forums as a guest speaker on topics dealing with retirement and estate planning. Mr. Bose is the Principal of Washington Retirement Planning Specialists, with offices in Washington D.C. and Boca Raton, FL. Washington Retirement Planning Specialists incorporates advanced tax planning techniques to minimize income, and estate taxes. WRPS utilizes conservative asset allocation models in order to focus on capital preservation and multi- generational wealth management with decades of demonstrated success. February 12 - Breakout 4 Session 2Coaching For Good Government (Room 603)This session will feature two live coaching demonstrations, facilitated by Amy Titus, an executive coach and management consultant, and Amy Parker, a professional certified coach and retired Senior Executive Service member. These demonstrations will help you better understand coaching by including commentary, explaining why coaches ask certain questions and demonstrating the value of coaching within a short time frame. These demonstrations will feature two coachees from the audience—one virtual and one in person. Each coaching session will last approximately 25 minutes, focusing on a topic presented by the coachee. The session will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A period for all attendees. Facilitator 1: Amy Parker
From 2006 to 2021, Amy served as a U.S. government civil servant, culminating her career as a member of the Senior Executive Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She holds a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel and a Bachelor of Science from Johnson & Wales University. Additionally, she completed the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows program and the Senior Executive Program at the University of North Carolina Executive education programs. Facilitator 2: Amy Titus
February 12 - Breakout 4 Session 3Thriving in Change: 6 Proven Strategies to Keep Burnout at Bay for Federal Executives (Room 606)A 2024 survey found that 41% of federal employees are experiencing burnout, leading to decreased productivity and retention across agencies. This session equips senior executives with six practical, research-backed strategies to build burnout-resistant careers and supportive team cultures. Beyond traditional stress management, participants will define burnout, recognize its signs and explore practical strategies to reduce its impact on themselves and their teams. Activities include discussing how to apply these strategies at every burnout stage, how to promote a healthier work environment and how to create more sustainable performance throughout their agencies. Facilitator: Carolon Donnally
February 12 - Breakout 4 Session 4Leading Change and Transition: A Framework to Engage Head and Heart (Room 608)Change happens often in the federal workplace and the world around us. In this workshop, we will discuss the process of change and transition for employees, leaders and organizations as they face an ever-evolving landscape. Drawing on the work of authors Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, William Bridges, and others, we’ll discuss a framework to think about change and assess how individuals and teams are affected; what resistance and concerns may arise and how to navigate them; and approaches to lead and navigate change in organizations (and with self) with grit, grace and resilience. Facilitator: Rachel Verlik
Rachel is an international executive coach, facilitator and speaker working with leaders in a wide range of sectors such as government, construction, medicine and nonprofits. She has over 25 years of business experience, including 13 years of Federal Service. Rachel coaches and facilitates individual leaders and groups in the U.S, as well as over 70 countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, United Kingdom, Pakistan, and France. Rachel is a champion for brave and authentic leadership. She believes in coaching the whole person -body, mind, spirit- towards brave futures that align with her client’s values. While she works with leaders in all levels of organizations, her passion is for supporting new and mid-level leaders on their journey to greater self-awareness, enhanced communication, and increased confidence. Rachel’s clients appreciate her relatable experience, authenticity, and warmth, helping them identify what matters to each client, where they would like to go, and exploring the delta of current state in a non-judgmental partnership. Her experience facilitating leadership development program allows for a depth of tools and knowledge to be shared with clients for their most effective leadership. Rachel’s clients often say she is a “soft place to land.” Clients walk away from their engagements feeling heard, developing a clear sense of what matters to them and the leader they want to be, and developing deeper inner confidence to help themselves, their teams, and their organizations thrive and transform. February 12 - Breakout 5 Session 1From the Inside Out: Bridging Employee Experience and Customer Experience Strategies (Room 603)This Session explores the mutually reinforcing relationship between employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX), focusing on strategies that create stronger connections. During a dynamic session, senior leaders will share insights on fostering organizational cultures that prioritize employee engagement and customer outcomes. Participants will gain actionable strategies to align EX and CX initiatives, highlight effective EX investments that enhance CX and address challenges in implementing integrated approaches. Join us to explore how the symbiosis between the employee and customer experiences drives organizational success! Facilitator 1: Matisha Montgomery
Facilitator 2: Julie Pruitt
Facilitator 3: Sahil Singh
February 12 - Breakout 5 Session 2From the Boardroom to the Grocery Aisle: Building Your Trust Factor in a New Journey (Room 606)This interactive session explores the challenges, fears and opportunities of stepping into a new field after excelling in another. Participants will engage in meaningful conversations to uncover how developing their personal “trust factor” can help overcome self-doubt, build credibility and inspire confidence in times of transition. Presented with real-world examples, attendees will learn to harness their strengths, embrace uncertainty and connect with a community that supports their growth. Whether you’re considering a career shift or launching a new venture, this session will empower you to navigate change with courage and purpose. Facilitator: Michelle Bryan
In October 2022, Michelle transitioned from federal service to co-found Sweet Maddie’s – Cookies on Demand, a family-owned business specializing in premium, all-natural frozen cookie dough. Sweet Maddie’s began as a local venture selling cakes and cupcakes but pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the growing demand for bake-at home treats. Since then, the brand has expanded into retail, wholesale, and foodservice, forming partnerships with grocery stores, corporate gifting programs, and an exclusive lounge on a major Hollywood studio lot. Its first grocery launch sold out in just four days, prompting an expansion to a second store within 30 days. Sweet Maddie’s cookies have also been catered to high-profile clients in the entertainment industry, further enhancing its reputation for excellence, and the company has partnered with local organizations like the Flying Cows semi-pro basketball team in Frederick, Maryland. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey has been featured in Possible Woman Magazine and on DC News Now Living Local. A graduate of the DHS Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program and the Federal Executive Institute’s Leadership for a Democratic Society Program, Michelle also holds certifications in Change Management and Leading Government Change from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. An active member of the Specialty Food Association, Recipe for Retail, and Startup CPG, Michelle’s story, "From the Boardroom to the Grocery Aisle," reflects her passion for resilience, innovation, and building a legacy of joy, community engagement, and excellence. February 12 - Breakout 5 Session 3The Power of Courage over Confidence (Room 608)When uncertainty feels overwhelming, how do you lead confidently? Join Jessika Portney Amini for an interactive workshop that helps you build confidence through courageous action. You'll learn to transform self-doubt through compassionate self-awareness; practice emotional regulation; and embrace vulnerability as your greatest leadership asset. Through personal reflection and engaging group discussions, you'll develop strategies that empower you to lead with purpose, despite your inner doubts. Facilitator: Jessika Portney
Jessika obtained an M.A. in government and politics with a concentration in international relations, and a certificate in diplomacy and international law from St. John’s University in Rome, Italy. She received a B.A. dual degree in communication, and Italian language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. February 12 - Breakout 6 Session 1From Bill to Reality: Implementing Major Investments (Room 601)In recent years, the federal government launched landmark investments in U.S. infrastructure, innovation and direct relief to the public. These pieces of legislation, which include the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, have provided a unique yet challenging opportunity for leaders tasked with implementation. Since early 2023, the Partnership has been supporting senior federal leaders at multiple federal agencies and amplifying effective practices for setting up new programs. Building on our extensive research, and our expertise convening groups and facilitating discussion, we’ll share our Framework of Implementation Excellence and explore what we’ve learned about leadership. Facilitator 1: Jill Hyland
Having worked at the National Governors Association and the City University of New York, she appreciates the roles that leaders at all levels of government– federal, state, and local—play in the lives of Americans. Jill’s favorite public servant is Dr. Vince Hutchins, her late father-in-law who inspired many to improve child and maternal health outcomes through his work at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Facilitator 2: Arfa Alam
Facilitator 3: David Gins
February 12 - Breakout 6 Session 2The Bright Side: Recognizing and Celebrating Successes (Room 603)Join this breakout session to learn why recognizing and celebrating successes in the workplace is an essential practice for great leadership. We will share best practices and provide an overview of what to consider as you build a recognition practice of your own. The session will include active large group discussions and breakout sessions that examine topics such as what celebrating looks like when done well and how to personalize recognition for impact. See you there! Facilitator: Jane Datta
Jane holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BA in music from Yale University. She was a 2022 Presidential Rank Award recipient – Meritorious Executive, the highest award for federal government employees, bestowed on a select group of the Senior Executive Service for exceptional performance. February 12 - Breakout 6 Session 3The Hero's Journey: Reflecting on Your Leadership Story and Committing to Its Future (Room 608)In this 60-minute interactive workshop, leaders will explore the timeless elements of the hero’s journey to gain a deeper understanding of themselves—past, present and future. Through facilitated prompts and reflection, leaders will explore their leadership journey up to the current moment, identifying the strengths, messengers and transformations that took place along the way. Leaders will also apply the hero's journey framework to a challenge they face now, empowering them to move forward with greater clarity, resolve, support and purpose. Join us on an engaging quest that will help you reflect on your own resilience and commit to your future with confidence. Facilitator: Andrew Marshall
Andrew comes with his own executive experience. He stood up and led the Public Service Leadership Institute, an entity housed within the Partnership for Public Service. The Institute develops thousands of federal leaders annually, with a focus on improving the capabilities of senior US government leaders. A thought leader in the field of leadership development, he has given keynotes at leadership conferences, designed leadership models for government and nonprofit organizations, designed 360 assessment tools, written case studies and published with HBR and MIT on public service leadership. His leadership development experience includes designing and facilitating executive retreats, designing and facilitating large-scale conferences, and providing executive coaching. His clients appreciate that he is optimistic, action-oriented, and committed to their success. In addition to his coaching and facilitation with Model Leader, he currently serves on the faculty for the White House Leadership Development Program, the Partnership for Public Service’s AI Federal Leadership Program, and the LOFT Fellowship Program. Andrew is passionate about supporting leaders who lift society. Strengthening these leaders positively impacts individuals today and generations tomorrow. February 13 - Breakout 7 Session 1Venturing Beyond: Continuous Growth through CoachingDiscover the transformative power of coaching in leadership during an engaging one-hour fireside chat with Solly Thomas, a former federal executive turned executive leadership coach. Hear firsthand how coaching reshaped Solly’s leadership journey—from working with a coach and mastering coaching principles to becoming an executive coach himself. Guided by the Partnership’s director of leadership coaching, this dynamic conversation will inspire you to elevate your leadership skills, foster stronger team performance and unlock your potential through coaching. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn practical insights and strategies to lead with greater impact and purpose and to learn about the journey of becoming a certified coach. Facilitator 1: Friderike Butler
Friderike leads the Public Service Leadership Institute’s coaching services team, strives for excellence in the delivery of coaching services, and is committed to the continued development of PSLI’s growing coaching talent pool. She supports internal and external stakeholders to the Partnership as a subject matter expert for coaching and enjoys all opportunities to serve as a coach for senior federal government leaders. Friderike brings extensive international management and leadership expertise, a genuine appreciation for curiosity, the power of words, and a heart-centered, pragmatic, people-focused approach to all her engagements. At the core of her work, Friderike is a catalyst for change, growth, purpose, and inspiration in the workplace. She cultivates an environment of trust and accountability that invites exploration, experimentation, collaboration, and learning. Friderike aims to discover and unlock the inherent potential in people and ideas and supports her clients in taking courageous action towards desired outcomes. She excels in working with leaders, who are rebuilding their teams, leaders in new positions or expanded roles and senior leaders, who are stuck in leadership models that are no longer producing the desired impact. People who work with Friderike describe her as a creative, supportive, and inspiring leader committed to being in service to others and a fun and engaged collaborator with a strong backbone and a generous heart. Facilitator 2: Solly Thomas
Solly currently serves as an executive coach and instructor for the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, which offers innovative coursework, benchmarking, action-learning projects, coaching and mentoring to prepare rising federal leaders to lead people and deliver results. His EIG coaching experience has included interagency and open enrollment programs, as well as cohorts from the departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Education. He also serves as a coach for the Department of Transportation’s SES onboarding program and for the DHS Capstone Program. Solly also serves as the instructor for the Senior Executive Assessment Program sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management. This program is designed to help senior federal managers assess their SES performance potential, determine readiness to go through the SES selection process and better understand what life in the SES is like. Previously, Solly was also a consultant at IBM, where he worked with federal agencies to design and implement human capital strategies and provided his clients with advice, subject matter expertise and thought leadership on a variety of workforce issues. When he retired from federal service in 2006, Solly was the acting associate director for human capital at OPM, where he led numerous government-wide programs, including human capital programs under the President’s Management Agenda, with an emphasis on leadership development, succession planning, and talent and performance management and performance management. He also managed the SES selection, performance management and certification programs, and designed and delivered leadership programs as an executive in residence at the OPM Eastern Management Development Center. In addition to his SES position at OPM, Solly was also the chief operating officer of the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Solly has a B.A. in economics from the University of Notre Dame. February 13 - Breakout 7 Session 2Leadership Style, Skills, and Successful Collaboration: The Case of US Federal Senior ExecutivesNumerous research studies, GAO reports and consultant efforts have focused on the Senior Executive Service and the critical role its members play in collaboration. Here we define collaboration as working together to solve problems that are too complex for one actor or organization to solve alone—and yet are core to the mission of all. Prior research has identified myriad ways SES leaders collaborate, and the factors and skill sets that are important for success. This session adds a new dimension to the conversation, beyond skills to the impact of an individual’s leadership style. It will introduce a style model and use data from a study of members of the SES about their collaboration experiences to show how an individual's leadership style influences both perceptions about and engagement in collaboration. This has interesting implications for individuals’ self-awareness, as well as the design, membership and facilitation of collaborative endeavors. Facilitator: Catherine Gerard
February 13 - Breakout 7 Session 3Strategic Planning and ExecutionStrategy alone does not differentiate top- versus bottom-performing organizations. What separates them is the ability to execute that strategy. Most organizations struggle with strategic execution due to the many moving parts that need to come together. This session will provide participants with a succinct set of insights and interventions by distilling the key requirements for strategic execution in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. Designed for senior leaders—and those aspiring to assume these roles—this session’s approach opens the aperture to key elements of strategy execution. Facilitator: Scott Snell
Snell is an expert in strategic human resource management — helping organizations compete better through people. He teaches courses in strategic management and works internationally with senior executives to help their companies align strategy, organizational capability and investments in talent. His research focuses on the mechanisms by which organizations generate, transfer and integrate new knowledge for competitive advantage. He is the author of several books, notably Strategic Execution: Driving Breakthrough Performance in Business (Stanford Press, 2019), Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World (McGraw-Hill, 2016), and Managing Human Resources (Cengage, 2018). Snell has worked with companies including AstraZeneca, Deutsche Telekom, Shell and United Technologies to help employees maximize their talents in order to drive firm performance. He currently serves on the board of directors for SHRM and has served on the boards of the Strategic Management Society's Human Capital Group, HRPS, the SHRM Foundation, the Academy of Management's HR Division, the Academy of Management Journal and the Academy of Management Review. He received his B.A. from Miami University, as well as his M.B.A. and Ph.D. in business from Michigan State University. February 13 - Breakout 7 Session 4Navigating through Uncertainty: Three Key Skills to Lead EffectivelyPresidential transitions often bring significant uncertainty, and this one is no exception. How senior leaders navigate and lead through this uncertainty directly affects morale, decision-making, agility and organizational resilience. This interactive session will explore three essential skills that help leaders manage effectively during times of change. Designed for senior leaders, the session encourages self-reflection and introduces alternative strategies for making meaning and connecting with others to foster stability and belonging amid turbulence. Through engaging exercises and discussion, participants will gain valuable insights to lead with improved effectiveness and resilience. Facilitator: Lisa Danzig
Lisa is passionate about helping people understand themselves, their beliefs and perspectives. She has witnessed the value that is unlocked for leaders and for organizations when the old adage that ‘we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are’ is understood and embraced. She is at her best helping people or teams move from feeling stuck, unsure or overwhelmed to being energized, intentional and successful. Lisa earned her MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and holds a BA from Carleton College. She has completed executive coach training at the Coach Training Institute (CTI) and is in the process of completing her International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification. For a full description of her background and skills, please see: www.lisadanzig.com. February 13 - Breakout 8 Session 1Top 5 Key Elements for Fostering Growth Mindset in Leadership DevelopmentJoin us for an engaging 60-minute session that promises to equip you with the essential insights needed to cultivate a growth mindset in your leadership practices. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this session is designed to enhance your leadership capabilities and drive meaningful change within your team. You’ll gain valuable knowledge and also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who share your passion for growth and development. Here’s what you can expect from this dynamic session: • Insightful discussion on growth mindset Facilitator: Claudio Toyama
A descendant of Samurai, Claudio was born and raised in Brazil, has lived in Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom and the U.S., and has consulted in 113 countries so far. Claudio and his clients go deep while keeping it light and ensuring they get out of their own way and “sharpen the sword” of becoming the effective communicator, influencer and world-class leader they are meant to be. He is an ICF-PCC certified executive coach, an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership and author of the bestselling book, "The Samurai Samba Vinci Way: How to Improve Your Executive Presence, Increase Trust and Lead Your Team at a World-Class Level." He is a lifelong learner, having received a B.A. in business administration, graduate degrees in marketing, strategy, and communication studies, and a master’s degree in Interactive Multimedia. Previously, he graduated from Newfield Network in Ontological Coaching and graduated the second year from the Institute for Generative Leadership in Coaching Excellence in Organizations. Claudio is resolved to bring more beauty and passion to the world, and is easily distracted with ice cream, chocolate and sushi (but probably not all at the same time). He lives with his daughter outside of Washington, D.C., and consults around the world. February 13 - Breakout 8 Session 2Empowering others through AutonomyAll leaders need support from others to achieve meaningful results, and leaders’ approach to collaborating has a profound impact on their performance outcomes. Empowering others through autonomy helps leaders foster greater motivation, trust and creativity. In this session, participants will learn key strategies for providing others with autonomy in areas like task, time and decision-making while also holding them accountable. Activities include interactive discussions, breakout exercises and reflections focusing on best practices and overcoming common challenges like micromanagement. By the end of the session, participants will have practical tools and insights to create an environment where individuals and the organization excel. Facilitator: David Brownstein
As an ACC-level ICF certified coach, David partners with clients in a discovery of self and their environment to evoke changes that impact themselves and others in their lives. David helps clients understand how their personal growth also has positive impacts on those around them. This “pay it forward” mentality promotes a unified workforce and community for the client and helps them recognize their leadership potential. David earned his M.A. in Public Administration from George Mason University, a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Delaware and is a graduate of the Georgetown Leadership Coaching program. He is certified in MHS’s Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and 360 assessment, DiSC, Situational Leadership, MBTI, Technology of Participation, Appreciative Inquiry and the Public Service Leadership 360. Prior to joining the Partnership, David worked as a learning and development manager at nonprofit and private companies and OD consultant supporting clients on leadership development and workforce engagement. February 13 - Breakout 8 Session 3Harnessing New TechnologiesIn this session, we will explore opportunities to use immersive technology across multiple facets of the health care system, particularly direct patient care, and staff education and training. We will explore potential high-impact, high-value use cases and discuss next steps for implementation. During this breakout session, attendees will become familiar with key terms related to immersive technology (e.g., augmented and virtual reality); be able to identify opportunities for its use; and learn of emerging trends and opportunities. Facilitator: Anne Lord Bailey
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