Mission Is Possible

In this episode of Mission is Possible, host Sasha O'Connell speaks with Janice deGarmo, Director of the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions (M/SS) at the U.S. Department of State. The events of the past 2+ years has changed the way we collaborate and work together forever. We are experiencing a unique moment in time, and one that allows us to consider and implement innovative and forward-thinking solutions to the most complex challenges. This Mission is Possible episode explores how the Department of State, the nation’s leading diplomacy agency, embraced these challenges, created a vision for the future of work, and is navigating changing talent and workforce dynamics. At the forefront of this change, the Office of Management, Strategy and Solutions is modernizing standards for where, when, and how the State Department works in the post-pandemic world, ensuring the Department remains competitive, agile, and secure in its support of U.S. national security and diplomacy. By empowering data-driven decision-making and promoting a high-performing and forward-looking organization, M/SS strives to serve the Department and its employees through innovation and creative management solutions.

In this episode of Mission is Possible, host Sasha O'Connell and guest host Jim Chaparro speak with John Markovic (Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance), Cary Coglianese (Edward B. Shils Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania), Kumar Kibble (Principal, GuideQuest & Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, HSI), and Dr. Amy Grubb (Digital Transformation Advisor to the CIO, FBI) about best practices and lessons learned in managing new technological capabilities which enhance security and accountability. The discussion centers on cautionary tales of misuse and challenged implementations, the policy and legal landscape, and areas where the law continues to evolve. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/mission-is-possible-podcast-series.

As the threat environment changes, SCRM programs must change too. What structural and behavioral changes can an organization make to effectively guard against emerging supply chain threats and secure a more resilient future? The frequency and severity of supply chain disruptions are increasing. Consider evidence of adversarial cyberattacks, sociopolitical unrest, and climate change from the past year alone. Mission is Possible guest host Jason Dury speaks with Matt Halvorsen from the FBI and Lisa Barr from CISA about how organizations are preparing for this change and the actions agencies can take to drive the evolution of supply chain risk management to ensure holistic SCRM solutions geared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/mission-is-possible-podcast-series.

In this episode of Mission Is possible, host Sasha O'Connell sat down with community Public Health and Emergency Management trailblazer, Dr. Goulda Downer. Dr. Downer is a recognized leader in strengthening the nation's HIV clinical workforce with racial and ethnic minority communities. Following her successes in Public Health, Dr. Downer has now set her sights on addressing disaster inequities through community engagement. Dr. Downer and Sasha O'Connell discuss: For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/mission-is-possible-podcast-series

Tune in to hear representatives from Guidehouse's National Security team discuss their personal experiences and lessons learned from past presidential transitions. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Guidehouse’s Patricia Cogswell and Anne Witkowksy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs, discuss Anne’s experiences with transitions at both DoS and the NSC. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Guidehouse’s Patricia Cogswell and Anne Witkowksy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs, discuss Anne’s experiences with transitions at both DoS and the NSC. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Sasha O’Connell sits down with Michael Daniel, former Special Assistant to President Obama and Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Council Staff. Michael shares his perspective on the most successful transitions he experienced and what made them so smooth. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Patricia Cogswell, a Strategic Advisor for Guidehouse’s National Security Segment, catches up with former Acting Administrator of the GSA, Jim Williams. Together they reflect on what makes a Presidential transition successful. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Mission is Possible host Sasha O’Connell and Lindsay Rodman, Executive Director of LCWINS, discuss ways that transition teams can help to create more diverse leadership across the national security sector. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Chip Fulghum, former Deputy Undersecretary of Management and CFO of DHS, and Guidehouse Senior Strategic Advisor Chris Cummiskey reflect on their experience at DHS undergoing Presidential transitions and the challenges and successes they faced. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

John Pistole, Anderson University President and former Administrator of the TSA and Deputy Director of the FBI, joins Guidehouse’s Patricia Cogswell to discuss their shared experience at TSA and John’s perspective on experiencing a Presidential transition from the career and political appointee sides. For more information on the series, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/presidential-transition-podcast-mini-series

Whether it is the transition to the second term of a sitting Administration or the transition to a new administration, life inside dynamic national security departments and agencies gets even more so from election to inauguration and onward to the first “100” days. In this special spin-off series, Guidehouse and the American University School of Public Affairs host a series of conversations with former senior officials from across the National Security Sector.

Panelists lead a conversation on how young professionals and students should best position themselves for success in the National Security Sector. This episode is a joint project with FedUpward.

In this episode of Mission is Possible, we look at the ways federal agencies can recruit for Cybersecurity talent by using non-conventional pathways. Our panelists offer advice for prospective candidates and insight on the future of cyber recruiting. To listen to the full panel, visit: https://guidehouse.com/insights/national-security/2020/recruiting-for-cyber

In this episode of Mission is Possible we interview key players in the development of the #NatSecGirlSquad x Guidehouse survey “What It Looks Like vs What It Is: Building Competent Diversity in National Security.” The contents of the episode were recorded at the #NatSecGirlSquad Conference in December 2019 but the survey, originally scheduled for an in-person event launch in March, 2020, and the associated podcast was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode of Mission is Possible, we look at the ways Chief Financial Officers in the National Security Sector are unique and dive into the critically important topic of managing stakeholders. Our panelists also offer advice on what they look for in prospective candidates and tips for success.

Accurately anticipating human behavior under extreme or threatening circumstances is essential to developing effective security, emergency, risk and crisis management. In this episode of Mission is Possible, we look at the ways behavioral-based emergency and disaster preparedness provide the skills to help leaders and decision-makers guide their efforts in crisis preparation, response, and recovery.

Data plays a crucial role in every stage of the decision-making process. Decision-making is the most important task of managers in a federal agency or of any organization. Therefore, to enable managers to take good quality decisions, it is very important to provide them with the right kind of data and information. In this episode, we'll discuss challenges, opportunities and best practices for assessing program effectiveness and aligning resources to strategy.

In this episode we'll talk about the benefits and challenges of measuring mission impact within national security agencies. Specifically why it is important, what challenges arise while attempting to measure impact, and best practices and tips for successfully measuring and communicating impact.