Phil McNamara, former Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Department of Transportation, emphasizes that in government, relationships matter more than titles. On this episode of Lessons in Leadership, McNamara shares how he’s led large teams, navigated the future of work, and built trust across agencies. In conversation with Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, he offers practical insights on leading with humility, empathy, and clear communication in today’s complex federal landscape.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What makes a great leader? Christine Harada has spent her career answering that question—across the White House, GSA, and beyond. With roots in aerospace engineering and experience in some of the most pivotal roles in government, Harada shares insights into public-private collaboration, influence without authority, and why purpose—not power—should guide leadership. In this episode, she joins WAEPA CEO Shane Canfield to discuss leading from the middle, navigating high-stakes environments with humility, and centering service over status to drive lasting change.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Janet Woodcock didn’t set out to become a federal leader—but over the course of more than three decades at the Food and Drug Administration, she helped transform the agency from within. As former Principal Deputy Commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Woodcock championed modernization, tackled resistance to change, and stayed rooted in a mission of science-driven policy and patient impact. In this episode, she joins Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, to share how conviction, courage, and collaboration shaped her federal career—and what today’s leaders can learn from the challenges she faced.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.