Jennifer Law, Maternal Health Venture Leader at Philips, doesn’t just bring her expertise to the table; she brings something even more compelling: her story. Her personal experience with a high-risk pregnancy exposed her to the challenges of maternal healthcare and drives her mission to improve outcomes for pregnant mothers everywhere.
During her own pregnancy, complications required additional care. Luckily, her home was steps away from Massachusetts General Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The frequent appointments, expert guidance, and proximity to care were vital to her and her baby’s health. However, as Law reflected on her experience, she realized not everyone has access to such resources. Her situation, while stressful, was still a privilege.
“There are so many doctor’s appointments during pregnancy,” Law notes. “If you don’t live close to a facility where you can get that care, you have to drive, take time off work, and arrange childcare… it’s no surprise to me when we see the statistics about [women] not doing their prenatal care.”
Those statistics paint a grim picture. The United States, unlike other developed nations, is seeing rising maternal mortality rates – in fact, a 27% increase the five years between 2018 and 2022.[1] Delayed childbearing alongside increasing chronic conditions have contributed to higher rates of high-risk pregnancies, and maternal health outcomes often reveal stark disparities based on race. Combine these factors with a national shortage of OB-GYNs and growing maternity care deserts, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Alarmingly, 84% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
Addressing these challenges is not optional; it’s urgent. This is why Philips, with a long legacy in maternal health innovation, partnered with Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan, the three health plans who cover Medicaid lives in the state of Georgia. Together, they’ve embraced remote patient monitoring (RPM) to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas, particularly for high-risk pregnancies.
How Remote Monitoring Works
The remote patient monitoring program is designed with simplicity in mind. Once a provider identifies an eligible patient and refers them to the program, the expecting mother receives a package of pre-configured, easy-to-use devices. These could include a blood pressure monitor, weight scale, or glucose meter, depending on the patient’s unique needs. Importantly, these devices require no internet access or smartphones to operate, ensuring accessibility for all, regardless of technology constraints.
From there, a team of dedicated nurses and dieticians steps in, teaching mothers how to use their devices and passively monitoring the collected data. They’re looking for red flags—an unusual spike in blood pressure, a sudden weight change, or other concerning patterns. When something seems off, the nurses are quick to act, reaching out to provide advice, recommend follow-ups, or guide the patient to seek immediate care. Beyond data monitoring, the nurses also double as coaches, offering guidance on healthy habits like managing sugar intake and staying active.
Every data point in the program is handled with care, adhering to stringent HIPAA standards for patient privacy. Any shared insights, such as those used for reporting or research purposes, are fully de-identified to protect mothers’ personal information.
When Data Saves Lives
One story from the program underscores the life-saving potential of RPM. A late-night blood pressure reading flagged serious concerns for one expectant mother. A nurse quickly reached out, and it became clear the mother needed urgent medical care. She was rushed to the hospital and, as doctors later confirmed, was on the brink of a severe medical emergency. Her baby had to be delivered early and required a stay in the NICU to support lung development. Thanks to timely intervention, both mom and baby ultimately went home healthy.
“If you didn’t get to the hospital in time before it became a true emergency,” Law reflects, “you can see how her story could have played out very differently.”
A Ripple Effect Across the Country
The success of the Georgia pilot program has not gone unnoticed. Other states are beginning to follow suit, implementing or considering the use of RPM in maternal health initiatives.
Virginia recently passed legislation to study maternal RPM usage.
Florida expanded remote patient monitoring statewide after its successful “Telehealth Minority Maternity Care Pilot Program.”
Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania are currently reviewing proposals aimed at leveraging RPM to improve maternal health outcomes.
Law is optimistic about the future. She’s proud of the work Philips is doing to use technology to bridge gaps in care and is eager to see continued advancements in the field. While much of the focus on maternity care has traditionally centered on labor and delivery, she envisions a broader landscape of innovation – from fetal monitoring and ultrasounds to digital tools that improve health literacy.
Closing the Gap
The importance of ensuring equitable, accessible care for pregnant mothers cannot be overstated. Law’s personal story may have started with proximity, but her mission now focuses on breaking down barriers for every mother, no matter where she lives.
“We have the technology,” she says. “We have the ability to make these interventions sooner. Why wouldn’t we do everything we can to make sure every mother gets the care she deserves?”
Fraud, waste and abuse of the Medicare system have always been challenging to get under control. Those who exploit federal health care programs can cost taxpayers billions of dollars, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report, while putting beneficiaries’ health and welfare at risk.
CMS’s Center for Program Integrity plays a key role in managing this challenge by detecting, preventing and combating fraud, waste and abuse across CMS and other federal health programs. Beyond that, the organization is tasked with strengthening integrity programs, expanding the scope of integrity programs and integrating technological improvements like AI to reduce fraud, waste and abuse, and streamline operations.
In a time when efficiency has become top-of-mind for most federal agencies, optimizing CPI’s ability to catch fraud, waste and abuse will play a major role in the government’s larger push to streamline operations and costs.
Ken Hofgesang
Vice President of Health at RELI Group
Ken Hofgesang brings 20+ years of experience in the federal health arena. He holds expertise in account and project management, business development, and executive leadership, focused on cost control, new operation setup, automated solutions, and innovative technology infusion. Prior to joining RELI Group, Ken served as the VP of the HHS account at SAIC. In addition to his extensive experience across the industry, he holds a master’s degree in computer science from Hood College, as well as a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Mount Saint Mary’s College. Ken is a certified Project Management Professional, holds an ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, and has earned certificates in both executive and performance leadership from Cornell University.
Based near Baltimore, Maryland, RELI Group is a trusted partner to federal agencies, delivering innovative solutions that address today’s complex challenges across health, security and technology. Since 2013, the company has been collaborating with agencies throughout the government that touch the lives of every American, with goals of improving health, safety and national security.
RELI Group’s success is driven by skilled professionals who embrace innovation, collaboration and continuous learning to meet client needs. Through structured, efficient processes that enhance organizational performance and ensure consistent outcomes, the team provides cutting-edge technology to optimize operations, enhance security and enable data-driven decision-making for mission-critical operations.
From leading public sector strategy at Adobe to advising global smart cities at the World Economic Forum, Brian Chidester brings a bold and future-forward perspective to this episode of #GovCom Unfiltered: The Podcast.As Head of Global Strategy and Innovation for Public Sector at Adobe and host of The Government Huddle Podcast™, Brian shares what it takes to lead at the intersection of technology, policy, and public service. With an impressive track record across Adobe, Genesys, Socure, OpenText, and beyond, he unpacks the discipline, mindset, and strategy that define innovation in the federal space. What You’ll Hear:
• How Brian’s background in sports shaped his leadership approach
• The mindset and methods driving public sector innovation
• Lessons from bold career pivots—and how to spot the right moment
• Why purpose matters more than a paycheck in mission-driven work
• Balancing competition and collaboration in GovTech
• What’s next in digital government—and how leaders can prepare
• How mentorship and a global perspective fuel impactful strategy
• A look ahead: Brian’s evolving vision for Adobe and public sector transformation
Whether you’re a tech strategist, agency innovator, or emerging GovTech leader, this episode delivers sharp, unfiltered insight on navigating complex systems, building purposeful careers, and leading at scale in the digital age.
https://youtu.be/6RIhYgzyBtw
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction – Brian Chidester
01:03 Brian’s Early Career and Sports Influence
02:36 Discipline and Motivation in Professional Life
05:11 Unconventional Strategies for Success
08:53 Mentorship and Career Pivot
12:09 Passion and Purpose in Work
16:06 Balancing Competition and Collaboration
22:03 Emerging Opportunities and Future Outlook
25:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
FORUM President and CMO Scott Robinson opened the event by encouraging attendees to continue supporting government professionals amidst the uncertainty in our industry, and to always ” be a good person” while pushing public sector tech to new heights.
Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina, CEO of Rexota Solutions, offered a look at OTA-FAR procurement and the different types of OTAs in use, and offered a detailed look at consortia, memberships and innovation networks attendees could access to learn more about existing OT agreements.
FORUM Advisory Council members David Yang, Tiffany Bailey, Krista Yager, Stephanie Geiger and Saishree Shetty gave out the Disruptive Tech Awards to the program and change agent winners during the event.
Caroline Evans, Engineering Lead – Federal Health from Palantir, offered an engaging look at how AI is transforming healthcare by helping to link patient records, highlight needs, and establish the right level of care using existing patient records.
Bryana Tucci, Principal Tech BDM at AWS, and Kunaal Sharma, Public Sector GTM Lead for Anthropic, showed attendees how GenAI partner solutions that run on AWS can accelerate government innovation, and how Anthropic’s Claude for Enterprise solution helps companies and agencies build efficient AI-powered products that help them excel like never before.
Alexa Tsui, Chief Operating Officer of G2X, gave a quick and informative demo of their GovCon platform and showed how much of the vital information needed to win more government contracts, is right at the users’ fingertips.
Dr. Andrew Omidvar, Head of Government R&D for Philips, told attendees about RATE, a groundbreaking set of wearable devices that track vital health indicators for servicemembers in the theatre of combat.
Felipe Millon, Public Sector Go to Market for OpenAI, interacted with ChatGPT using his voice (and got some lively and hilarious responses!) to show attendees the powerful uses of this cutting-edge AI tool.
Benjamin Bryant, Acting Head of Contracting Activity for ARPA-H, explained their contracting process along with their OT benefits and R&D award metrics, to inform the audience about how best to work with them.
John Ferry, President of TAC, gave the keynote address and shared information about AcqBot.com, their leading AI-powered platform for acquisition and contracting automation.
Special thanks to all our speakers, sponsors, demo companies and attendees for making this such a successful event!
From building the nation’s largest veteran business community to influencing federal procurement strategy, Scott Semple brings unmatched perspective to this episode of #GovCom Unfiltered: The Podcast.As Conference Director of VETS25 and Founder of NewTHINK Solutions, Scott draws on 20+ years of executive leadership in the federal space—including past roles as CEO, CIO, COO, SVP of BD, board advisor, and strategic consultant to venture funds and investment groups. With deep experience launching, scaling, and advising tech-driven GovCon businesses, he shares what it takes to grow with purpose, navigate shifting regulations, and lead with both precision and vision in today’s federal market. What You’ll Hear:
• A behind-the-scenes look at building and scaling the VETS25 Conference
• How to lead through federal procurement shifts—and why accuracy matters more than ever
• Scott’s journey: from grassroots veteran networking to national-stage impact
• Strategic insights for GovCon firms: M&A, contract vehicles, mentor/protégé, and growth strategy
• What’s changing with SDVOSB certification and what veteran firms need to know
• Building resilient sales strategies in today’s contracting climate
• Balancing entrepreneurship, mission, and legacy in government business
• What’s next for veteran-led GovCon—and how to stay ahead of the curveWhether you’re a small business founder, BD leader, or federal program executive, this episode delivers sharp, unfiltered insight on how to scale impact, build influence, and grow with intention in today’s evolving GovCon market.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:40 Overview of VETS25 Conference
02:05 Addressing Industry Rumors
02:27 Importance of Accurate Information
05:02 Impact of Rapid Changes in Federal Procurement
07:16 Conference Growth and Curriculum
12:08 Keynote Speakers and Agencies at VETS25
19:47 Future Plans for VETS Conference
22:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
From launching billion-dollar pipelines to shaping federal digital modernization strategies, four powerhouse women from Leidos—Heather Carr, Caroline Thomas, Arfa Syed, and Christy Holley—join us to share their journeys, hard-won lessons, and bold perspectives on modern leadership in GovCon.With decades of combined experience across civilian, defense, and global sectors, these women are at the forefront of driving transformation within federal IT. Together, they unpack what it means to grow accounts, build trust, break barriers—and what it really means to lead with both strategy and heart in today’s federal landscape.
Meet the Guests:
• Heather Carr – Civilian IT Growth & Strategy Lead at Leidos, with 20+ years of experience shaping strategic technology solutions across federal agencies.
• Caroline Thomas – Account Manager for USDA, Commerce, and the Department of Labor, with a track record of cultivating high-impact partnerships and accelerating federal growth.
• Arfa Syed – BD & Strategy Manager, spearheading digital modernization and cybersecurity innovation in the public sector, with a deep background in tech and thought leadership.
• Christy Holley – Senior Director and Account Manager for the Department of State, bringing over 30 years of GovCon experience across global initiatives, strategic growth, and mind-body leadership.
What You’ll Hear:
• The defining moments that shaped their leadership styles
• Real-world strategies for expanding federal accounts and scaling impact
• How they build trust and authentic relationships across industry and government
• Their honest takes on mentorship, community, and supporting other women in GovCon
• Balancing mission-driven work with life, wellness, and service
• Advice for the next generation of leaders—and what they wish they’d known sooner
Whether you’re in BD, tech, or a leadership role, this episode is packed with clarity, candor, and wisdom from women redefining what it means to lead in federal contracting.Tune in to hear what leadership sounds like when it’s bold, collaborative, and purpose-driven.
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Episode
01:03 Meet the Guests: Leaders from Leidos
02:42 Sharing Personal Stories and Career Insights
07:55 Creative Strategies in Government Contracting
11:59 Building Meaningful Relationships in the Industry
15:54 Helping Others Succeed in GovCon
16:27 Mentorship and Career Growth
18:03 The Importance of Networking
20:24 Balancing Competition and Collaboration
21:49 Navigating Industry Events
24:19 Emerging Opportunities in Tech
29:22 The Future of Cybersecurity
32:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In today’s episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership Podcast, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Cathy Muha, Senior Director of Customer Experience at Maximus and a trailblazer in the healthcare sector. Cathy’s impressive 37-year career at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a testament to her unwavering commitment to public health, cancer care, and mentorship.
Cathy reflects on pivotal moments in her career that helped shape her leadership style, from her early days as an oncology nurse at Johns Hopkins to leading the Center for Global Health at NCI. With a heart for service and an unyielding passion for making a difference, Cathy shares the profound experiences and mentorships that guided her on her path, including the powerful role of women in leadership within male-dominated industries.
We’ll dive into her personal journey, exploring her transition from frontline care to program development, and the invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way. Cathy also offers her insights on how we can encourage more young women to aspire to leadership roles and navigate careers in industries often dominated by men.
As Cathy prepares for the next chapter after nearly four decades of service, she offers a vision for the future of women in leadership and shares steps we can all take to accelerate progress in achieving greater gender equality in the workplace.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and the power of uplifting others.
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programs at SANS Institute, to discuss one of the most pressing issues in cybersecurity today: the talent shortage in federal agencies. As nation-state cyber threats continue to evolve, agencies are facing an uphill battle to find skilled cybersecurity professionals. Max sheds light on how inclusive and targeted training programs can help address this critical shortage by unlocking untapped potential within the workforce.
Max explores the value of reskilling and upskilling programs, sharing insights on how agencies can turn individuals with diverse backgrounds into cyber professionals. He also discusses how agencies can not only fill cyber roles but retain this talent by fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
Key Topics Include:
The role of inclusive cyber training programs in addressing the skills gap
The power of reskilling programs and how to successfully transition employees into cyber roles
Strategies for retaining cybersecurity talent once agencies have filled the roles
If you’re interested in the future of cybersecurity workforce development, this episode is a must-listen!
Max Shuftan leads mission programs and partnerships at SANS Institute. In this role, he manages strategic partnerships for SANS and oversees an organization focused on (1) growing the global cybersecurity talent pipeline, and (2) fostering a stronger cyber workforce through partnerships that expand targeted reskilling and upskilling efforts.
SANS Institute: Launched in 1989 as a cooperative for information security thought leadership, it is SANS’ ongoing mission to empower cyber security professionals with the practical skills and knowledge they need to make our world a safer place. We fuel this effort with high-quality training, certifications, scholarship academies, degree programs, cyber ranges, and resources to meet the needs of every cyber professional. Our data, research, and the top minds in cybersecurity collectively ensure that individuals and organizations have the actionable education and support they need.
In this episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership Podcast, host Mary Ann Brown speaks with Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos, Systems Strategist at Abundance Studio and globally recognized expert in emerging technology, security, and macro trends. With extensive experience advising entities like the US Department of Defense, NATO, and the United Nations, Dr. Kostopoulos is a visionary strategist who helps clients navigate technology disruptions and leverage macrotrends for competitive advantage.
We dive into Lydia’s remarkable journey, discussing the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped her leadership style. Lydia also shares insights from her newly released book, Imagination Dilemma: Tools to Overcome It and Thrive Through Disruption, offering actionable tools for overcoming the challenges that come with rapid change.
Throughout the conversation, Lydia discusses how to balance ambition with authenticity, the importance of encouraging young women to pursue leadership roles in male-dominated industries, and how women can stay true to their values while advancing their business goals.
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Jim Coyle, US Public Sector CTO at Lookout, to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats posed by nation-state actors. With over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, Jim brings invaluable insights into the emerging tactics, tools, and techniques used by global adversaries to target critical infrastructure.
As we look toward 2025, Jim highlights the growing alignment between cyber efforts from nation-states and the increasing sophistication of their attacks—especially with the rise of social engineering, phishing, and AI-powered threats. Tune in as he explores the most pressing cyber threats agencies should be preparing for and the steps they can take to protect vital systems.
Key Topics Include:
Emerging nation-state cyber threat actors to watch
Top attack methods and priority targets for nation-states
How agencies can bolster defenses against the surge in cybercrime from these actors
Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of cybersecurity for government agencies, and how to stay one step ahead of the next wave of cyber threats.
Jim Coyle serves as the US Public Sector CTO at Lookout, drawing upon two decades of hands-on experience in cybersecurity to assist government agencies in fortifying their defenses. Jim is a cyber security industry thought leader, delving into geopolitical cyber issues, emerging threats, defense tactics, and industry developments, offering valuable insights cultivated throughout his career.
Lookout, Inc. is the data-centric cloud security company that uses a defense-in-depth strategy to address the different stages of a modern cybersecurity attack, which now starts with mobile.Data is at the core of every organization, and our approach to cybersecurity is designed to protect that data within today’s evolving threat landscape no matter where or how it moves. People — and human behavior — are central to the challenge of protecting data, which is why organizations need total visibility into threats in real time, starting with the mobile endpoint.
The Lookout Cloud Security Platform is purpose-built to stop modern breaches as swiftly as they unfold, from the first mobile phishing text to the final cloud data extraction. We are trusted by enterprises and government agencies of all sizes to protect the sensitive data they care about most, enabling them to work and connect freely and securely.
