The adoption of drone technology and online drug markets by drug traffickers is creating a borderless, hard-to-detect threat that bypasses traditional border control methods. As new traffickers coordinate operations through decentralized online markets and smuggle drugs over the border via unmanned drones, physical infrastructure becomes increasing obsolete.
Shifting from neurobiological research on substance use to Federal consulting was not as much of a leap as it may seem. Instead, it was the next step in my career rooted in the same core values. At the heart of both roles are three essential principles that continue to shape my work: innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based problem solving.
With the advent of generative AI and the explosion of data privacy, bias, and other concerns, the need for effective AI regulation is becoming increasingly important.
The Federal Government and private sector already have an interest in working together to create strong regulations. The private sector’s knowledge and flexibility provides innovative solutions to the Federal Government, while rigid Federal regulations reduce the likelihood that tech companies will invest in products that could be regulated out of existence.
In today’s fast-paced world, where information overload is the norm, effective data storytelling is essential for Government agencies to interpret complex datasets and clearly communicate insights to policy makers and stakeholders. Agencies like Homeland Security are tasked with enhancing their decision-making and information capabilities to fulfill their missions, report to Congress, and engage with citizens. It is imperative for Federal agencies to use available tools and capabilities to conceptualize and effectively communicate data-driven insights.
Building trust with stakeholders takes a thoughtful, structured approach that prioritizes understanding their needs, expectations, and perspectives. A consistent, repeatable process, founded on proven principles of human-centered design, allows for a tailored approach to better engage and connect with stakeholders and deliver effective solutions through the most effective channels.
After four years as a paralegal for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, I made a pivotal decision to transition into a consulting career focused on Federal clients. This shift wasn’t just a career change, but a strategic move that allowed me to apply my unique skill set and extensive understanding of Federal processes to offer helpful solutions as a consultant.
Building trust in the Government requires transparency and accountability. In recent years, sociopolitical challenges, technological advancements, and local issues have eroded some public confidence in Government institutions. To address this, Federal agencies can intentionally invest in fostering transparency and demonstrating their commitment to accountability by taking thoughtful and clear actions tied to mission goals.
Community Involvement is not just something we talk about doing, we are actively creating opportunities for our team to build connections, our company culture, and involvement in our local community.
In an era of data abundance, Federal agencies face the challenge of distilling vast amounts of complex information into actionable insights. To unlock the potential of data to inform strategic decision-making and policy and program implementation, traditional information presentation methods may fall short, occasionally leaving federal leaders without actionable insights.
Internal Innovation Labs are key to enhancing innovation and collaboration in Federal agencies. They allow employees the opportunity to engage in creative processes, such as brainstorming, design thinking, and creativity, which create solutions and spur innovation. These techniques allow organizations to solve complex problems and implement solutions efficiently.
Homeland Security is a complex mission, one that is both vast in scale and broad in scope, and this creates a large volume of data that can help provide insight into operations and strategic decisions. From disaster preparedness to counterterrorism, Federal employees rely heavily on an abundance of data to assess problems accurately and implement effective solutions.
The Federal government has been making significant strides in technology modernization, shifting its focus from addressing only the most critical needs to becoming more agile, customer-centric, and innovative. As government agencies transition from an era dominated by the necessity of migrating their data and applications to cloud-based platforms, mission leaders are now turning their attention to emerging technologies like data visualization, customer experience improvement, low-code software tools, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning technologies have steadily increased in number and capability over the past 10 years. They are much more accessible to Government leaders, staff, and policy makers due to the popular “Large Language Models” such as ChatGPT, Bing, Bard, and others.
