Rookies to Rockstars
GovCon is full of rules, red tape and make-or-break moments—but how do you go from a rookie struggling with acronyms to a rockstar closing deals and leading strategy? "Rookies to Rockstars" is the podcast where industry experts share the advice they wish they had starting out.
Co-hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti bring on GovCon leaders who get real about the lessons, missteps and strategies that shaped their success. In 20-minute episodes, guests break down what they’ve learned about winning contracts, building relationships and navigating the GovCon world.
Whether you’re figuring out your next career move or setting your sights on the C-suite, these leaders share the hard-won advice they wish they knew earlier—how to manage risk, lead with confidence and make decisions that drive real impact in GovCon.
Rookies to Rockstars
'Your Career Is Your Own': How Amy Foy Learned to Lead, Ask & Grow
Amy Foy didn’t wait for someone to hand her a career plan.
Fresh out of college, she joined a leadership program that promised structure and direction. But when it ended, she realized no one was going to chart the next step. If she wanted a career, she’d have to build it herself.
Today, Amy is vice president for contracts and supply chain at Nightwing, leading complex transformation efforts across defense and intelligence missions. Along the way, she’s learned that success isn’t about titles or speed but about owning your path, asking for help when you need it and knowing when to step back.
In this episode of "Rookies to Rockstars," Amy chats about:
- Why your career is your responsibility — and no one else’s
- The mindset that helps you survive high-stakes work and still have a life
- What the next generation needs to unlearn about communication and mentorship
- How she’s redefining ambition after 20 years in the business
It’s a conversation about drive, perspective and the lessons you only learn when you stop trying to do it all yourself.