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IMPACT Podcast Series
IMPACT is FORUM’s signature podcast highlighting the women whose leadership, expertise, and vision are shaping the future of government, technology, and the federal contracting community. Each episode features in-depth, authentic conversations with executives, trailblazers, innovators, and rising leaders who are driving meaningful progress across the public and private sectors.
The podcast explores a wide range of topics essential to modern leadership: building inclusive workplaces, navigating career advancement, leading through change, supporting mission outcomes, and fostering collaboration between government and industry. Guests share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and actionable insights that empower listeners to lead with confidence and drive impact within their organizations.
IMPACT offers more than professional stories—it provides a platform for thoughtful dialogue on mentorship, opportunity, innovation, and the challenges and successes women encounter at every level of the GovCon and federal technology ecosystem. Whether you are an emerging professional, a seasoned executive, or someone passionate about leadership and community, the podcast delivers inspiration and practical guidance you can apply immediately.
About the Host:
Mary Ann Brown hosts IMPACT and brings deep experience supporting government–industry collaboration. As Senior Director of Operations at FORUM, she helps create strategic events, leadership initiatives, and platforms that elevate voices across the federal community and advance meaningful conversations about leadership and mission success.
Subscribe to IMPACT to hear the stories and perspectives of the women shaping the federal landscape—and to be inspired by the leadership driving change across government and industry.
IMPACT Podcast Series
Impacting the Lives of Wounded Warriors
Paving the way to improving the lives of veterans, Merissa Larson shares with us her journey to creating the Wounded Warrior program and how she strives to make differences in the lives of others.
Merissa Larson, Executive Director of Quality and Risk, Office of Information Technology
Ms. Larson serves as the Executive Director for Compliance, Risk, and Remediation/Deputy Chief Risk Officer for the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Throughout her career, she has worked at the operational, strategic, and executive levels, serving in multiple federal agencies, including GSA, the Department of the Navy, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. At the Department of the Navy, Ms. Larson was hand-selected to lead the creation of their Wounded Warrior Program from scratch, including developing the program’s first-ever mission, vision, strategic goals, and objectives. She continued her passion for advocating for service members and their families and transitioned to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ms. Larson served as the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at OIT’s Office of IT Resource Management since October 2018, where she leveraged her background in budget, policy development, and human resources, which led her to be called upon to lead high-level initiatives for OIT.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government that provides lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.
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