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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 excellence across Defense and Civilian sectors, Rebecca offers a grounded, insightful look at leadership in the GovCon world.

She shares lessons on embracing vulnerability, championing responsible AI adoption, fostering high-performing teams, and finding opportunity in the unexpected. As a transformational leader, mentor, and widowed mother of two, Rebecca’s story is both inspiring and refreshingly human — a reminder that authenticity and empathy are cornerstones of sustainable leadership.

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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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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 shaping strategy and innovation across the Department of Defense, the Military Health System, and federal health agencies, Joan brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to thrive in the fast-evolving world of federal technology and Health IT.

From building decision-support tools for military medicine to leading large-scale transformation at the executive level, Joan shares her remarkable journey — along with the mentors who influenced her path, the projects that fueled her passion, and her advice for women forging their own careers in federal tech.

💡 A must-listen for anyone who believes that leadership is about courage, connection, and creating meaningful change.

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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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 modern heroism.

As the Heroines of Washington Awards celebrates its 25th year—having honored 166 women and raised nearly $5.5 million for March of Dimes—Carly reflects on how the definition of a “heroine” has evolved and what timeless qualities still unite every woman recognized.

She shares her perspective on balancing professional ambition with purpose-driven community impact, what sets truly transformative leaders apart, and how lasting legacies—like that of Legacy Heroine Jennifer Felix—inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Carly also offers heartfelt advice to women who doubt their ability to make a difference, reminding us that heroism often begins with one small act of service.

For more information on March of Dimes Heroines of Washington please visit: https://www.marchofdimes.org/events/Event.aspx?eventId=23008&

#Leadership #CommunityImpact #Volunteerism #HeroinesOfWashington #MarchOfDimes #WomenInLeadership #Legacy #Empowerment #ImpactPodcast

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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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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-driven leadership define her extraordinary career.

With 37 years of public service, including a decade of leadership at the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health, Cathy shares how her roots as an oncology nurse shaped her approach to leadership — one that blends empathy, collaboration, and vision.

💬 Conversation highlights:Conversation Highlights:

• Key moments that shaped Cathy’s leadership journey in healthcare and global health.
• The mentors and lessons that guided her path.
• Balancing career, family, and service.
• Cathy’s vision for the future of women in leadership.

From her work developing cancer education programs and leading teams at the NCI, to mentoring others through the challenges of leadership, Cathy’s story is one of purpose, resilience, and lifelong dedication to improving lives.

Guest: Cathy Muha
Company: Maximus
LinkedIn: Cathy Muha on LinkedIn
Great Story on Her Time at NCI: Cathy Muha Retirement Story at NCI

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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

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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 security, and administrative support to federal agencies nationwide.

Taelor shares her journey as a small business owner and real estate investor who has built not just one successful enterprise, but multiple—including real estate development focused on quality subsidized housing in Washington, D.C. But her path to the top hasn't been without obstacles. In this candid conversation, Taelor opens up about the biggest barriers she's faced as a woman leader in the government contracting space and how those challenges shaped her leadership philosophy today.

Listeners will hear the inside story of a pivotal moment that transformed TJS Group's trajectory in the GovCon market, and gain insight into how Taelor balances authenticity with navigating a historically male-dominated industry. She also offers invaluable advice for women who feel they lack the "traditional" background or network to pursue leadership roles in government contracting—spoiler alert: you don't need permission to lead.

Beyond her own success, Taelor is passionate about creating opportunities for others. She discusses her work mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs through real estate investing support and personalized business coaching, and shares her vision for the future of women in government contracting. What changes does she want to see? And what role must women leaders play in making it happen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their business, break into federal contracting, or simply lead with impact and authenticity. Taelor Salmon proves that with vision, grit, and a commitment to growth, anything is possible.

Tune in to be inspired, equipped, and empowered.

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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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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 trailblazer in digital transformation and human-machine teaming, Alexis has dedicated her career to bringing innovation to some of the world’s most complex challenges—whether shaping AI adoption across the Department of Defense, co-founding USAID’s Global Development Lab, or driving emerging technology strategy at Google.

Alexis shares her journey from the early days of the digital landscape to leading groundbreaking projects in defense, technology, and global development. Together, Mary Ann and Alexis dive into the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, the lessons learned from working in war zones and high-stakes environments, and her vision for the future of government technology.

This conversation is not just about AI and innovation—it’s about resilience, impact, and the legacy of women who break barriers in leadership. Alexis also offers practical advice for women pursuing careers in federal tech, along with insights on building strong teams and keeping innovation alive within structured organizations.

Whether you’re passionate about technology, leadership, or the power of women driving change, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to think differently about the future.

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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On this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann sits down with Dr. Mary Kate Yost-Daljev, Vice President of Services Delivery at J Michael Consulting (JMC), where she leads a team of more than 35 professionals advancing public health through informatics and innovation.

Mary Kate shares her journey from the laboratory bench to executive leadership, reflecting on the turning points that shaped her leadership style and her vision for making a lasting impact. She opens up about mentoring women in tech, her approach to building strong and sustainable teams, and how JMC has supported her professional growth along the way.

With a career dedicated to solving complex challenges and turning them into actionable solutions, Mary Kate has led transformative projects such as FluLIMS, the development of public health standard operating procedures, and critical business cases for nationwide initiatives. She also offers insights into the legacy she hopes to leave—one rooted in mentorship, innovation, and service.

This inspiring conversation highlights how purposeful leadership, collaboration, and technical expertise can shape the future of public health and empower the next generation of women leaders.

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts

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In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann speaks with Rachel Heckel, CEO of Sault Tribe Inc. (STI), the business arm of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Rachel’s leadership is rooted in building high-performing teams, scaling new ventures, and establishing a thriving government contracting practice that delivers mission-critical solutions for federal clients.

Rachel shares her path to leadership, including one of her proudest accomplishments: receiving commendations from both the County of Los Angeles and the Chief of the Cherokee Nation for leading an emergency shelter initiative that connected over 8,000 unaccompanied immigrant children with safe, stable homes. She reflects on the skills, resilience, and values that have guided her from that defining experience to her current role as CEO.

Together, Mary Ann and Rachel explore the challenges and opportunities of federal contracting, the importance of balancing innovation with reliability, and what it means to lead an organization that both drives business growth and honors tribal legacy. Rachel also offers inspiration for women leaders striving to break new ground in complex, high-stakes industries.

This episode is a powerful look at transformational leadership, purpose-driven impact, and the future of federal solutions under the vision of a remarkable woman CEO.

Support the show

IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

Don’t miss an episode—follow the show on your favorite podcast app.
Explore all episodes and learn more: https://www.govforum.io/tags/podcasts