2024 FORUM IT100 Awards Program Recap

By Bethany Whitley

The 9th annual FORUM IT100 Awards Program and Holiday Celebration was a rousing success, and it featured many strong and insightful leaders from both Government and Industry who shared their knowledge about a wide range of subjects—from an outlook on Government Contracting in 2025, to a deep dive on the NASA SEWP program, to discoveries about programs at NASA, HHS, and the Census Bureau.

Below is a recap of our lineup of esteemed speakers who joined us at FORUM IT100:

Alexis Bonnell: Power to the People

• Human-Centric Technology: As the CIO and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Bonnell emphasizes that technology adoption is a journey deeply tied to human emotions and adaptation. Organizations and individuals progress through stages of initial excitement (“Ta-da!”) to normalized integration (“Ho-hum”). This highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in fostering technological change.

• Overcoming Cultural Barriers: Bonnell identifies cultural resistance as a major obstacle to technology adoption. Fear and uncertainty within organizations can stifle innovation. To counter this, leaders should cultivate a culture that encourages experimentation, learning from failure, and celebrating adaptability.

• AI and Collaboration: She calls for responsible and collaborative use of artificial intelligence. Bonnell argues for cross-sector partnerships that shift perspectives on AI from fear to curiosity and proactive engagement, ensuring its benefits are maximized while minimizing risks.

• Innovation for Inclusivity: Making technology accessible to all is a central theme. Bonnell advocates for tools and systems that empower every individual, ensuring technology’s benefits reach across societal and organizational levels.

Joanne Woytek: SEWP and Federal IT Innovation

• Leadership Legacy: As Program Manager for NASA’s Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP), Joanne Woytek has been pivotal in revolutionizing federal IT procurement. Her 40+ years at NASA and extensive involvement with SEWP have cemented her as a trailblazer in government contracting.

• Evolution of SEWP: Initially designed to meet NASA’s need for technical tools, SEWP evolved into a premier Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) offering IT products and services. Over its iterations, SEWP’s scope expanded to include advanced solutions like cloud services, cybersecurity tools, and networking technologies.

• SEWP VI Highlights:

  • Draft RFPs: Industry feedback is shaping the program’s clarity and efficiency, ensuring inclusive participation, especially from small businesses.

  • Modernization Focus: SEWP VI will streamline federal IT access, emphasizing simplicity and adaptability to support modernization initiatives.

  • Inclusivity at Scale: With nearly 10,000 vendors and 35,000 federal customers, SEWP VI aims to maintain its reputation as a reliable and expansive procurement vehicle.

• Vision: SEWP VI promises to enhance procurement flexibility, accessibility, and transparency, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation in federal IT acquisition under Woytek’s leadership.

LaMonte Yarborough: Insight into the Future of Cyber

• Cybersecurity Leadership: As the Acting Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Yarborough oversees the safeguarding of one of the federal government’s most critical infrastructures. His work ensures alignment between cybersecurity initiatives and broader healthcare modernization efforts.

• Collaboration & Defense: Phishing remains the top internet crime, and Yarborough stresses the need for unified defenses across HHS’s ten regional offices and thirteen agencies. He advocates for sharing processes and collaboration across the cybersecurity community to strengthen collective defenses.

• Programs and Initiatives:

  • 405(d) Program: Aims to enhance the healthcare sector’s resilience against cyber threats through advanced safeguards and best practices.

• Background: With over 20 years in IT and cybersecurity, including roles in DHS and the U.S. Army, Yarborough combines operational expertise with strategic vision to address emerging threats effectively.

2025 Market Outlook – Jeff Shen, CEO of Red Team Consulting

• Key Market Trends:

  • Increased focus on technology and cybersecurity as government agencies like DHS and CISA drive demand for innovative solutions.

  • AI is becoming integral to federal operations, with investments accelerating across all sectors.

• Opportunities:

  1. Federal modernization spending and procurement opportunities are on the rise.

  2. Mid-size companies should leverage relationships with small businesses, explore acquisitions, and build capacity for future growth.

  3. Despite delays in procurements like CIO-SP4 and Alliant 3, strategic preparation will allow contractors to capture emerging opportunities.

• Projections for the Next Four Years:

  • Restructuring of agencies and Space Force expansion.

  • Additional Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) funding.

  • Increased DOD spending and integration of AI into federal vernacular.

Barbara LoPresti: Preparing for the 2030 Census

• Innovative Leadership: As Chief of the Decennial IT Division, LoPresti has driven the Census Bureau’s technological modernization, transitioning to hybrid cloud environments and mobile tools during the 2020 Census. Her forward-thinking leadership has transformed data collection and operational efficiency, setting a strong foundation for future censuses.

• Purpose & Impact:

  • Equitable Representation: Accurate census data underpins fair political representation and the allocation of federal resources.

  • Public Policy Guidance: Supports informed decisions on public services, infrastructure development, and economic planning.

  • Long-Term Insight: The 2030 Census will provide critical insights into demographic trends, aiding strategic growth and societal research.

• Modernization Efforts:

  • Diverse Data Integration: Leveraging an array of datasets to improve the accessibility and reliability of census information.

  • Advanced Tools: Enhanced mapping and mobile data collection systems are being deployed to ensure precise data gathering and streamlined processing.

• 2030 Census Key Milestones:

  1. Research & Testing (2024-2025): Addressing critical challenges like undercounting underserved populations. This phase includes rigorous pilot programs and operational tests to refine methodologies.

  2. Community Engagement: Utilizing the CBAMS (Census Barriers, Attitudes, and Motivators Survey) to tailor outreach strategies and effectively educate the public about the importance of census participation.

  3. Operational Planning: Updates include refining demographic questions and deploying new technological solutions to increase efficiency and inclusivity.

  4. Execution (2030): April 1 marks Census Day, with an aim to deliver comprehensive results by December 31, ensuring timely analysis and application.

  5. Post-Census Evaluations (2031): Analyzing accuracy, coverage, and operational success to inform future census improvements.

FORUM would like to thank all our speakers and attendees for making this year’s IT100 event so memorable!

For a list of all speakers, award winners and more, please visit the FORUM IT100 event page.