What does it take to drive transformational change in large, mission-driven organizations? In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, former Treasury Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk sits down with WAEPA CEO Shane Canfield to explore the answer to that question. Drawing on nearly four decades of public service, Lebryk shares insights on how to maintain employee trust and accountability while striving for strategic leadership and operational excellence. He discusses his biggest lessons learned from modernizing major government systems, and how he worked to break down silos and build high-performing teams — all while staying rooted in character and integrity.

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Deborah Lee James, former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and seasoned corporate board member, shares insights from leading one of the largest and most complex organizations in the world. Drawing on her experience across public service and the private sector, she discusses the importance of putting people first, fostering transparency, and building trust. In conversation with WAEPA CEO Shane Canfield, James reflects on lessons from influential mentors and challenging leadership moments, and offers practical guidance on authenticity, resilience, and navigating career growth in today’s evolving public service landscape.

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Sean O’Keefe — former Navy Secretary, NASA Administrator, and senior leader across multiple presidential administrations — reflects on the principles that shaped his long federal career. In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, he joins Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, to discuss motivating teams through uncertainty, leading across agencies, and staying rooted in mission during times of public scrutiny and change.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Retired U.S. Army General Robert Brown’s path to leadership was anything but conventional. Drawn to the military by its unwavering focus on mission, his decades of service in the Army emphasized mentorship, trust, and selflessness. Now president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), General Brown joins Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, to share insights on making tough decisions and leading with purpose.

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Raymond Limon’s commitment to public service is rooted in his belief in the power of community. As Vice Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board, Limon views a deep understanding of human capital as essential to effective leadership. In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, he joins host Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, to share insights from a leadership journey that spans multiple agencies and tackles diverse challenges.

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