Meet Our Featured Contributor Cohort

Our 32^nd Featured Contributor cohort recently kicked off, and there is already no shortage of informative and educational blogs to learn from.

This cohort is full of talented writers with years of government and industry experience that have shaped their own careers, and their sound advice could positively affect yours as well.

Read on to meet the writers, who will contribute two articles each month to GovLoop until July. They’ll cover topics such as employee and constituent engagement, artificial intelligence, data use and literacy, cybersecurity, diversity and inclusion, and more. (You can begin reading their articles here.)

Max Aulakh leads Ignyte Assurance Platform as the Managing Director focused on helping organizations cut through cyber security challenges. Max is a former U.S Air Force data security & compliance officer. As a Data Security and Compliance Leader, Max has implemented security strategies working directly with CxOs of global firms. His latest work focuses on meeting high assurance standards involving federal  cloud computing. He has also successfully guided Ignyte through the 3PAO, management of Air Force led Cooperative R&D Agreement (CRADA) and now helps other organizations navigate their FedRAMP challenges. Max graduated with a Bachelors from Wright State University, Computer Science from American Military University and Criminal Justice Associates from Community College of the Air Force. Education is supplemented by several industry credentials: PMP, Certified Scrum Master, CISSP, and graduated from AMU with an Associate’s in General Studies — Computer Science in 2008 and Bachelor’s in Information Systems Security in 2009.

Peter Bonner is a cross-sector innovator, working in the areas of human capital, workforce development, and leadership effectiveness. He is a Senior Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, focused on improving federal talent management. As an OPM Associate Director, Peter recently worked with the federal agencies tasked with hiring the talent needed to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This resulted in hiring more than 6,000 engineers, program managers, contracting and grants management specialists needed to execute those programs. At OPM, Peter led the OPM functions responsible for USAJOBS, USA Staffing, USA Performance, USA Hire and other shared services that help federal agencies recruit, hire, train, and manage the performance of the federal workforce. Peter’s particular expertise is in talent management, particularly the interagency and inter-sector initiatives that meld the sometimes-disparate missions of federal agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

Amy Cloud is a media relations and PR professional with 20 years’ experience in healthcare, higher education, municipal government and emergency management. She is a FEMA-trained crisis communicator and certified Advanced Public Information Officer (APIO). Over her career she has been a national award-winning magazine writer and editor, TV reporter and newsroom supervisor, and EMMY-nominated producer. Using her master’s degree in Adult Education, Amy has prepared trainings ranging from engaging the media and effective interviews to creating public service ambassadors. She is an Emergency Management PIO and a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.  

Jerry Cooney, “Jer” to his friends, has spent his career serving in various capacities within Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in HR from Cornell and is a Senior Certified Professional in HR (SHRM-SCP) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).He began his career at a small firm in Manhattan and has since gone on to work with such famous names as Amazon, Siemens, General Electric, and Amtrak. Jer is originally from Islip, New York, but now calls Philadelphia home. He is a huge baseball fan.  

Richard S. Danforth is the CEO of Genasys, with over 30 years of defense and aerospace industry experience, including executive leadership positions with two of the world’s largest defense contractors, Raytheon Company and DRS Technologies Inc. Mr. Danforth joined Genasys Inc. after having served as the Group President of DRS Integrated Defense Systems & Service. His leadership roles at DRS Technologies included Group President of DRS Integrated Defense Systems & Service; Chief Executive Officer, President and Board Member of DRS Defense Solutions; President, Command Control & Communication; President, Navy Electronics & Intelligence Systems; and Executive Vice President, Electronics Systems Group.

Marquiesha Gillispie, BSBA, MPA, is the Director of the Federal Military Family Network within the Interagency Veterans Advisory Council, a role supported by the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative. A military spouse and advocate for the military-connected community, she is deeply committed to serving those who have served. Her career trajectory showcases a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of the underrepresented and underserved. This includes a dedication to ensuring that small businesses have fair access to federal procurement opportunities, as Senior Acquisition Professional with the U.S. General Services Administration and previously with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Doug Goist is the program manager, workforce development, at NSITE, the talent enterprise for National Industries for the Blind. A recognized leader in the field of technology accessibility, Doug has worked with the U.S. Department of Defense, the military services, federal agencies, and private sector partners. Through NSITE, Doug provides accessibility consulting for the private and public sectors and identifies career tracks, professional development, and educational resources for job seekers who are blind and visually impaired.

Dr. Marleen Greenleaf is an Administrator, personal empowerment and self-leadership trainer, and recently received her Doctorate in Business Administration, with a concentration in Organizational Leadership at National University. With more than 30 years of corporate and non-profit business experience, her specialties include employee engagement, diversity and inclusion initiatives, government contracting, strategic planning, and leadership training and development, with an emphasis on self-leadership. Marleen is committed to inspiring others to fearlessly embrace their authentic self and unapologetically lead in their true purpose.

Lekeshia Hicks is a distinguished HR professional and retired United States Army Major with over two decades of dedicated service in the Federal Government. Specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), Lekeshia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in addressing workplace DEIA challenges. Her robust background encompasses qualitative research, policy development, and the implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive environments. Lekeshia’s academic achievements include master’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology, and a Graduate Certificate in Community & Organizational Leadership, equipping her with the analytical skills to conduct in-depth DEIA studies. Her contributions span across various sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies, where she has been instrumental in identifying and dismantling systemic barriers to DEIA progress.

After retiring from the Federal Government, Sandra Hill launched her business, New Horizen Coaching & Professional Growth Advancement. She has a passion for coaching (life, business, and career), helping those who seek to build their confidence while facilitating transitions in their personal or professional life. Sandra is a best-selling author, podcast host and writes career coaching articles for Forbes and other industry magazines. Fulfilling her personal mantra, “Each One Reach One”, Sandra also volunteers with several non-profits and serves as a mentor and partner with local schools. 

Nina Kern leads the Change Management & Communications Practice at LMI, an innovation and technology consultancy. In her client work, she helps government leaders engage stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and communication of change. She supports initiatives including digital transformations, enterprise risk management and policy programs, org and functional re-alignments, PMO stand-ups, leadership transitions, performance improvement, and culture change. Nina is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University Fellows in Change Management Program, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business’ Change Management Advanced Practitioners (CMAP) Certification Program and is ProSci trained. She holds an MS in Organization Development and an MA in Communications.   

Jeanne D. LoVette, DHA, currently serves as Designated Learning Officer/Midwest Consortium (MidCon). In this role, she leads the development and implementation of executive leadership programs throughout the four-VISN region. Dr. LoVette has wide-ranging leadership experience, serving as interim executive leadership, and creating and standing up customer service and employee engagement programs during her more than 10 years with the federal government. She proudly served her country in the US Army and, as a servant leader, passionately “pays it forward” by serving as a certified leadership coach and mentor. Dr. LoVette completed a doctorate in Healthcare Administration from Capella University, has earned certifications in change management, and is Green Belt certified. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), a volunteer with The Reading People Literacy organization, and a Michigan State University alum who loves all things Spartan Nation!

Scott Mastellon, former Suffolk County (NY) CIO and current Managing Director of Public Sector at SVAM International Inc., is a distinguished technology leader with over two decades in the experience in government. Renowned for driving digital transformation and operational efficiency in the public sector, his strategic leadership was crucial during Suffolk County’s critical moments, notably amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Leveraging his rich experience as a government CIO, Scott now brings innovative technology solutions to public sector organizations at SVAM, focusing on cybersecurity, RPA and AI, and data modernization.

Julia Meltzer is a recent graduate from Stanford University with a B.S. in Symbolic Systems and a coterminal M.A. in Linguistics during which she wrote about the historical meaning of the word “freedom”. She is originally from New York City but is happily adapting to life at the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s San Francisco hub. She has previously focused on issues of technology and environmental policy and is thrilled to join the new Recent Graduate Program in HUD’s Multifamily West team. In her spare time, she loves to cook, sketch, and play with her dog, Shadow.

Emily Ryan has spent her career working cross-functionally as a designer, full-stack developer and UX researcher to solve a variety of digital issues for public and private sector spaces, focusing on civic tech. She’s worked across start-ups, federal government and consulting agencies. Emily holds a BFA in Design, an M.A. in Criminal Law and currently is pursuing an M.A. in Government, focused on technology’s influences and impacts on global democratic movements and free and open elections. In her free time, she runs ultramarathons and travels, and she adores traditional European holiday markets, walking food tours and modern art exhibits.

Matt Wallat serves as a District Ranger with the National Park Service (NPS) in Colorado. His 20-year career spans eight different NPS units in six different states with assignments in patrol, investigations, program management, court liaison, training officer, and supervisor for 11+ years. With a strong background in employee development as an agency instructor, Matt continues to evolve his coaching practice, creating leadership training programs, engaging in curriculum design work, and leading a recent international training program in Tanzania. He enjoys family time and many other interests, including fly fishing, creative DIY projects, music, craft beer and Boston sports.

On paper, Laurie Whitcomb is an Oxford educated, certified Human Resources professional with a thriving career in the Federal Judiciary. In practice/person, Laurie is a deeply human student of life, a leadership and life coach, mindfulness practitioner, and dedicated “whole person” cultivator. She is passionate about bringing head and heart together in every coaching conversation and actively “walking beside” all humans as they work to get un-stuck and flourish. When not championing growth, development, equity, and inclusion, Laurie can be found practicing yoga, listening to podcasts, and offering helpful advice to baseball umpires throughout Washington State.