The Peel

Cybersecurity and a New Administration: Challenges, innovations, and what’s ahead in 2025 with Aquia’s Chris Hughes

In this episode of The Peel, gain insight from Chris Hughes, CEO and co-founder of Aquia, a leading cybersecurity and digital transformation firm making waves in the federal health space. With nearly 20 years of IT and cybersecurity experience, Chris discusses his journey from Air Force veteran to driving innovation in federal cybersecurity. Dive into key topics like Zero Trust, FedRAMP modernization, supply chain security, and the latest shifts in executive orders under the new administration. Also, learn how Aquia became the HHS 2024 SDVOSB of the Year and what sets federal health cybersecurity apart. Whether you’re in government or the private sector, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!

The next frontier in federal tech with Dan Naselius

Get ready to dive into an insightful conversation about the power of AI-driven decision-making in government agencies! In this episode, Dan Naselius, President and CTO at CORAS, explains how their no-code platform transforms data into real-time actionable insights, helping agencies make faster, smarter choices. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, government professional, or just curious about how AI can revolutionize everyday operations, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!

Winning in GovCon: Latest Insights from Eric Nusbaum

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire talks with Eric Nusbaum, CEO of ENcompass Consulting, about the latest updates and trends shaping the government contracting landscape in early 2025. From GSA’s progress on OASIS+ and Polaris to Navy’s Seaport NextGen rolling admissions, they cover critical contract vehicles and what companies need to know to stay competitive.
 
Eric also offers practical advice on engaging with agencies, voicing concerns on draft RFPs, and preparing your pipeline for upcoming opportunities. Whether you’re a small business or an industry veteran, this episode is packed with timely insights to help you navigate the ever-evolving GovCon world.

Modernizing Healthcare for Veterans: Insights from Maximus’ Karen Cinibulk

In this episode, Karen Cinibulk, Vice President at Maximus and a 2025 FedHealth 150 honoree joins host David Blackburn. Karen shares her inspiring journey from her early career with the Department of Veterans Affairs to leading transformative initiatives in federal health at Maximus. Don’t miss this conversation packed with innovation, passion, and a commitment to serving those who have served our country.

Leadership Principles for Innovation with ePATHUSA’s Hari Nallure

Shelley McGuire, speaks with Hari Nallure, co-founder and Vice President of ePATHUSA, on The Peel Podcast. Hari discusses his journey as an IT professional and leader, the founding of ePath USA, and his leadership philosophy centered on empowerment, collaboration, and integrity. He also shares insights into his company’s achievements, turning points, and future goals focused on digital transformation and innovation. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, strategic partnerships, and certifications in building a successful small business.

Strategies for small businesses working with larges with Lisa Rosenthal of OptumServe

In this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire interviews Lisa Rosenthal, Vice President of Business Development at OptumServe. The conversation spans Lisa’s career journey, her travel aspirations, and her insights on fostering partnerships between large corporations like OptumServe and small businesses. Lisa highlights the importance of strategic collaboration, especially within the CMS space, and emphasizes the value of passion, preparation, and mutual understanding in successful partnerships.

Bridging government and innovation with Boostaro's Seema Sreenivas

In this episode of The Peel, OS AI Chief Strategy Officer Shelley McGuire talks with Seema Sreenivas, CEO, Boostaro and former CMS executive. Seema shares insights on her journey from CMS to becoming an entrepreneur, her passion for healthcare, and the innovative work Boostaro is doing to improve government contracting with a focus on cutting-edge technology. Seema also reflects on the personal experiences that shaped her career and how her past informs her leadership approach today.
 

AI Revolutionizing GovCon: CEO Sean Doherty on why GovDash is the Ultimate All-in-One Tool for Capture, Proposal, and Contract Management

OS AI's TAKE: GovDash burst onto the scene last spring with the announcement that this pioneering generative AI platform for government contractors had successfully closed a $10M Series A funding round. Over the past six months, a series of aggressive new product launches, enhanced functionalities, and several key hires, including Federal Proposal and Marketing SME Meryl Angelicola, have made GovDash one of the most evaluated and requested products in the market today.
OS AI recently had the opportunity to connect with Sean Doherty, Co-Founder and CEO of GovDash, to discuss a range of topics. Based on our conversation, it’s clear that if the next six months are as productive as the last, the newer and less well-funded companies trying to carve out their space will be left far behind, eating a lot of dust.
Topics covered include:
Differentiation of GovDash from other AI tools -  Decidedly different from many, this platform takes an anti-prompting approach while leveraging integrated workflows to assist users at critical points.
Integration with Microsoft - GovDash is tightly integrated with the tools you use today.
Addressing skepticism about AI proposal tools - The GovDash Pilot allows you to kick some tires before you go all in.
No🚫OCI Here - Unlike many of the tools entering the market that are developed and directly owned by GovCon companies, there is no conflict of interest here. Ask the tough questions.
GovDash's product offerings and plans - When they say one-stop they mean it GovDash has quickly built out a full end-to-end suite of solutions ranging from Proposal, Capture, and Opportunity Identification, to Pipeline management, Contract Execution, and Executive Reporting.
OS AI Note: OS is not paid for this interview, nor do we endorse this product - we provide this information and interview to our government and industry subscribers to keep the community abreast of emerging tools and technologies that impact how they work.

Nava CEO - How a two-week trip to save Healthcare.gov kickstarted this high-flying Public Benefit Corporation

"I thought I would come out to suburban Baltimore, live in a hotel for 1-2 weeks, and go home."  What started as a short trip to help the federal government and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service work through some challenging times, catalyzed the formation of one of the most successful Health IT companies in the Federal sector today.
Need inspiration? This conversation with Rohan Bhobe, CEO and Co-founder of Nava PBC, discusses how what was expected to be a short trip by a band of computer engineers, designers, and product managers helped kickstart the formation of what we know today as NAVA PBC.
The need and desire of the government to have access to technologists and talent from the commercial sector, and the desire by many to be connected to a spirit of public service, helped inform why the company formed as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) and its lofty goals of serving as a role model for a business of not just doing well, but doing good.
Learn more about the journey NAVA PBC has taken over the past 9 years here...