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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.
Episodes
106 episodes
Leading Through Uncertainty: Risk, Resilience & the Future of Security
In a world where threats evolve faster than ever—from cyber risks to critical infrastructure vulnerabilities—how do leaders stay ahead? In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, we explore homeland security, risk m...
Lead with Clarity: Scaling Global Tech Teams & Owning Your Voice
What if quality wasn’t just about testing—but about driving business impact, customer experience, and innovation?In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, we dive into quality assurance leadership, global team managemen...
Women Leading the Future of Cybersecurity and Mission-Critical Technology
Cybersecurity is one of the most critical leadership challenges of our time—and women are stepping up to lead it. In this episode of imPACT: Women in Leadership, we explore cybersecurity leadership, federal IT innovation...
Winning in GovCon: Leadership, Capture Strategy, and the Future of Federal Contracting
Why do some companies consistently win federal contracts while others struggle to compete? In this episode of the Impact: Women in Leadership podcast, we talk with Jennifer Kasten, President of JBS Internation...
From National Media to Community Transformation: A Masterclass in Strategic Leadership and Operational Excellence
Big decisions. High stakes. Real impact. In this powerful episode of Impact: Women in Leadership, we feature Mary-Claire Burick, President of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, for a masterclass in exe...
Executing Innovation at Scale: Leading Global Engineering Teams in Cybersecurity
What does it take to turn bold ideas into real-world impact — at a global cybersecurity company? In this episode of Impact: Women in Leadership, we sit down with Audra Simons, Vice President of Software ...
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Leading Through Complexity: Driving Government Innovation & Lasting Impact
What does it take to lead when the stakes are highest?In this episode, we explore how mission-driven leadership, IT modernization, and organizational transformation are shaping the future of government and public-sector innovation.
Bet on Yourself: Leadership, Federal Contracts & Scaling Your Business
Are you ready to rethink leadership and scaling a business in complex environments? This episode of FORUM Impact: Women in Leadership features Nichole Priddy, Founder & President of Catalum Strategies, LLC, sharing how she tra...
Leading Large-Scale Change: Modernizing Government IT with Laura Johnston Stash
What does leadership look like when you’re modernizing thousands of systems, managing millions in federal IT budgets, and guiding organizations through constant change?In this episode of FORUM Impact: Women in Leadership, h...
Human-Centered, Data-Driven Leadership: Scaling Federal Innovation with Olivia Trivisani Bowker
What does it take to modernize government systems without losing sight of the people they serve?In this episode of FORUM Impact: Women in Leadership, we sit down with Olivia Trivisani Bowker, Founder & CEO of ...
Being Seen, Heard & Believed: Julie Murphy on Leadership, Credibility, and Influence
What does it really take to lead when credibility, visibility, and trust are non-negotiable?On this episode of Impact: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Julie Murphy, President...
(Encore Episode) The Power of Strategic Intelligence: Lisa Shea Mundt on Winning Billions and Leaving a Legacy of Impact
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 o...
Human-Centered Leadership in Action: Em Allan on Impact and Innovation
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 desig...
Inside the Creative Leadership of Dolores Kuchina-Musina, PhD: OTAs, Deep Work & STEM Inspiration with Whimsical Adventure Companion, Mura the Dinocorn®
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 contra...
Inside The Cyber Guild: How Debbie Sallis Empowers Cyber Leaders
In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown continues her conversation with Debbie Sallis, Founding Executive Director of The Cyber Guild Foundation, to explore how mentorship, leadership, a...
From DOE CIO to Distinguished Professor: A Conversation with Ann Dunkin of Georgia Tech & Dunkin Global Advisors
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 In...
Emily Hsu: The Strategist with Soul — Designing for Impact in Government Technology
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 techno...
Live at the Impact & Inspire Luncheon: Alexa Tsui on Leadership, Cancer, and Changing GovCon Culture
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.Hos...
Dr. Nicole Oxley: Leading with Purpose and Impact in Federal Technology
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 bu...
Rebecca Link: Leading with Resilience and Realism in the Federal Contracting Space
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 exc...
Joan Bishop: Leading with Strategy, Service, and Heart in Federal Technology
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<...
Redefining Heroism: Carly Mitchell on Leadership, Legacy, and Service
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 mode...
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Empowering Leadership with Cathy Muha: A Legacy of Service and Impact
In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Cathy Muha, Senior Director of Customer Experience, Federal Health at Maximus, to explore how compassion, mentorship, and service-d...
From Small Business to Federal Powerhouse: Taelor Salmon's Blueprint for Women in Government Contracting
In this powerful episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership Podcast, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Taelor Salmon, CEO of TJS Group Inc., a thriving multidisciplinary federal contracting firm providing facilities maintenance, IT secur...
Driving Adoption of AI and Emerging Technologies: A Conversation with Alexis Bonnell
On this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Alexis Bonnell, Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory. A tra...
