IMPACT Podcast Series – Details, episodes & analysis

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Join host Mary Ann Brown for an inspiring conversation with Jessica Morris, President and CEO of Pluribus Digital, as she shares her remarkable journey from a 20-year government career to founding and leading a thriving woman-owned digital services company. 

In this episode, Jessica opens up about the pivotal experiences that shaped her transition from policy expert to tech entrepreneur, including her work at agencies like the Government Accountability Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, and as Senate committee staff. She discusses the mentors who guided her path and the defining moments that influenced her leadership approach in building modern digital products for public service missions. 

As a founding member of both the Digital Services Coalition and the Digital WOSB Alliance, Jessica brings unique insights into supporting women-owned businesses in the tech sector. She shares practical strategies for encouraging young women to pursue leadership roles in male-dominated industries and her vision for accelerating progress for women in leadership. 

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on navigating career transitions, building mission-driven organizations, and creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders in government technology. 

Guest: Jessica Morris, President and CEO, Pluribus Digital 

Topics Covered: 

• From government service to tech entrepreneurship
• Mentorship and pivotal career moments
• Leading in male-dominated industries
• Building woman-owned businesses in digital services
• Strategies for encouraging young women leaders
• The future of women in leadership

Connect with Jessica.

About Pluribus Digital: A Woman-Owned Small Business building digital products for public service missions, supporting agencies including USCIS, GSA, CDC, FDIC, Library of Congress, and VA through modern design, development, and delivery practices.
 

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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. 

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

Cathy Muha, Senior Director, Customer Experience Accelerator, Maximus

Cathy Muha is an executive with more than 30 years of experience in both the federal and private sectors, specializing in business strategy, organizational change, and technological innovations aimed at advancing health outcomes.

In her current role as the Customer Experience (CX) Market Lead for Health, Cathy focuses on strategizing market interactions and enhancing customer experiences across various health agencies and sectors. She identifies opportunities for CX innovation, drives market engagement, collects insights on emerging trends, and aligns CX initiatives with the needs of agencies and business development priorities.

Before joining Maximus, Cathy served as the Director of Planning and Operations at the Center for Global Health within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) where she implemented strategies to enhance service delivery and improve organizational effectiveness. Her notable achievements include modernizing workforce systems, contract processes, and the workforce development enterprise.

Throughout her career, Cathy has been dedicated to advancing national and international collaborations in innovative health delivery models to enhance care and improve health outcomes in low-resource settings. 

Follow the IMPACT Women in Leadership Podcast for more inspiring stories and insights from women leaders across industries. 

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In the next episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Marisa Veseli, Senior Director of Business Development at Peraton. Marisa reflects on the key moments that have taught her the most valuable leadership lessons, and how these experiences have shaped her leadership approach.

Throughout the conversation, Marisa shares a defining challenge in her career that became a turning point, offering valuable insights into resilience and growth. She also discusses how she stays connected to her purpose as a leader and provides advice for other women on finding and maintaining their own sense of purpose in their careers.

Marisa dives into the importance of supporting one another in leadership roles, exploring actionable steps women can take to create solidarity and empower one another. She shares how this collective support has played a transformative role in her own journey and in creating meaningful change.

Tune in for a powerful and inspiring conversation filled with practical advice for women looking to elevate their leadership and drive positive change.

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In this episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership podcast, we are honored to welcome Solitaire Carroll, Co-Director of the Veteran Experience Services Portfolio at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information Technology. 

Solitaire shares her impactful journey in public service, focusing on her commitment to enhancing the experiences of veterans through innovative solutions and strategic leadership. She discusses the unique challenges women face in leadership roles within government and emphasizes the importance of advocacy, resilience, and collaboration in driving meaningful change. 

Join us for an insightful conversation as Solitaire inspires us to embrace our roles in serving others and making a difference in our communities.

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In the next episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown interviews Kelly Bennett, Deputy Director of the Office of Data, Analytics, and Information Advantage at the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Kelly shares the personal experiences that have shaped her professional journey and discusses how these moments have influenced her leadership approach.

Throughout the conversation, Kelly reveals the methods she uses to stay inspired and continue growing as a leader, as well as how she turns challenges into opportunities for both personal and team development. She also offers insights into how organizations can create more supportive environments that nurture and mentor women, ensuring a thriving and inclusive leadership pipeline.

Kelly also explores the exciting trends and developments she believes will shape the future of leadership in the workplace, offering practical advice on how today’s leaders can prepare to embrace these changes with confidence and foresight.

Tune in for a thought-provoking and inspiring episode, filled with valuable leadership lessons and strategies for growth and inclusion.

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In this episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Sarah Moffat, an award-winning strategic innovator, dynamic speaker, and organizational leader. Sarah shares her insights into how personal experiences have shaped her leadership style and empowered her to become a catalyst for organizational change. With years of expertise as a leadership coach, she offers valuable advice on staying inspired, turning challenges into opportunities, and continuously growing as a leader.

Sarah also explores the importance of creating supportive environments for women in leadership, emphasizing the need for mentorship and inclusivity to build a strong pipeline of emerging leaders. Additionally, she discusses exciting trends and developments in the workplace, offering practical strategies for leaders to prepare for the future of leadership in an ever-evolving landscape.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that highlights Sarah’s journey and provides actionable takeaways for anyone looking to make a lasting impact in their leadership role.

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In the next episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Denise Rainey, President & CEO of Rainmakers Strategic Solutions, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, growth, and innovation. Denise shares her personal “aha!” moments—key experiences that shaped her career and influenced her distinct leadership style. She also reveals her go-to methods for staying inspired and continuously evolving as a leader.

Denise dives deep into a transformative experience where a challenge turned into a powerful opportunity for growth, both for herself and her team. She discusses how organizations can create environments that empower women to step into leadership roles, and what we can do to ensure future leaders feel supported, included, and ready to lead with confidence.

Lastly, Denise explores exciting trends and innovations reshaping the workplace, offering valuable insights on how leaders can prepare for these shifts and navigate the future of leadership with assurance and vision.

Join us for this thought-provoking episode packed with actionable insights and inspiration for leaders at every stage of their journey.

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In the upcoming episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Mary Reding, the President and General Counsel of Vertrics Group, and a Venture Partner at Sinewave Ventures. Together, they delve into the key moments and lessons that have shaped Mary’s impressive career journey.

Mary reflects on a pivotal event or experience that set her on her current path and shares an insightful story about a mentor or leader who has had a profound influence on her leadership approach. The conversation explores the qualities that leaders must embody to guide teams effectively and drive organizations forward.

Mary also provides valuable career advice for listeners, offering tips on how to navigate the professional world and make strategic decisions to reach leadership roles. Finally, she discusses the future of her industry, offering her predictions on where it’s headed over the next five years.

Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking episode that will leave you with actionable insights on leadership, mentorship, and career growth.

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In this episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership podcast, we sit down with Phedra Arthur Iruke, Chief of Delivery Operations at eSimplicity. With a wealth of experience in driving operational excellence, Phedra shares her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and embracing leadership with authenticity.

She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the importance of building a supportive network for women in the workplace. 

Join us as Phedra offers actionable insights on fostering resilience and empowering the next generation of female leaders, encouraging us all to step into our potential and make a lasting impact.

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In this week's episode of IMPACT Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Stephanie Geiger, the dynamic CEO and Founder of Geiger Consulting Group. With over two decades of experience driving organizational change and empowering leaders, Stephanie shares her personal journey, discussing the pivotal experiences that have shaped her leadership style and helped her navigate challenges along the way.

Stephanie opens up about the "game-changing" moments in her career and how these experiences continue to inform her approach to leadership. She shares how she keeps the spark alive in her work and why every tough situation can be turned into an opportunity for growth. The conversation also explores practical steps organizations can take to foster an environment where women leaders can thrive, offering actionable insights for both emerging and established leaders.

Finally, Stephanie reflects on the trends and ideas she’s most excited about in today’s workplace and offers advice on how leaders can prepare for the future.

Tune in for a compelling conversation full of wisdom, inspiration, and actionable leadership advice.

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