Speakers

Ms. Amber Hart is the Co-Founder of The Pulse of GovCon. She received her Bachelor’s in Conflict Analysis and Resolution & Global Affairs from George Mason University (GMU). A skilled Federal Business Developer, Ms. Hart has 12+ years’ experience in all aspects of selling to the Federal Government. She is an active member of the Professional Services Council (PSC), the President of Women in Technology (WIT), and sits on the advisory board for the Center for Government Contracting at GMU. She brings critical knowledge and experience in navigating congressional and federal procurement data and sources, from legislation to appropriations and historical discretionary spending obligations, to The Pulse.

Ms. Lisa Shea Mundt is the Co-Founder of The Pulse of GovCon. She received both her Master’s and Bachelor’s in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) from James Madison University (JMU). Ms. Mundt has 12+ years in Federal Proposal Development and expertise regarding the overall Business Development Acquisition Lifecycle. Leveraging her experience, she is an instructor and presenter on conceptual topics as they relate to the Government Contracting industry. She is a member of the AFCEA Small Business Committee and a Chairperson of Women in Technology. Ms. Mundt uses her experience to help manage the strategic business direction of The Pulse and works closely with clients to empower their growth efforts.

Aruna Mathuranayagam is the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the $1.1 billion Integrated Missions Operation providing critical mission infrastructure, scientific, engineering, construction, logistics, and other support functions and services for the Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF) and many other Civil and Commercial organizations. In her current CTO role, Ms. Mathuranayagam is responsible for solving the most pressing customer problems by identifying differentiating technologies and innovations. To that end, she focuses on innovation and technology roadmaps, research & development, pilot projects, and virtual sandbox setups for testing and developing prototypes. She collaborates with internal and external technology partners, vendors, and academia to bring together a holistic solution. Ms. Mathuranayagam also leads the culture of innovation strategy for the Leidos Enterprise Innovation Council. Ms. Mathuranayagam is also a Master Solution Architect at Leidos. Prior to this role, she supported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and components to improve border security, national security, and cyber security through the infusion of technology and innovations. Her role in solving many of the pressing concerns for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the areas of security screening and detection, integrated common viewer platform, and artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques for autonomous anomaly and/or threat detection has received positive feedback from the customers and expedited customer’s future screening goals. Ms. Mathuranayagam’s years of experience includes engineering, infrastructure, information technology, security technology, business development and contract management. She has managed complex programs and portfolios in her 19-year career. She joined Leidos’ legacy company, SAIC, in 2002 and has held numerous programmatic, technical and leadership positions. Ms. Mathuranayagam holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Nick Wakeman is the editor-in-chief of Washington Technology and joined the publication in 1996 as a staff writer. He's a graduate of Bridgewater College and earned a masters degree from American University. When he isn't writing about government contractors, he's thinking of cooking large pieces of meat over fire and dreaming of ways to embarrass his two sons. Follow him on Twitter: @nick_wakeman.

Paul Vrabel is Vice President of ICF’s Federal Energy Efficiency practice and for over 25 years has worked to help address how our nation’s buildings use energy and can save energy in support of a clean energy future.  Paul has worked with Federal agencies, utilities, state and local governments, manufacturers, Fortune 500 companies and other stakeholders to adopt and implement clean energy technologies and  strategies. Paul and his teams support the nation’s most well-known energy efficiency and clean energy programs that engage U.S. corporations and energy users such as the U.S. EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR and DOE Better Buildings programs.  Paul has also supported DOE programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to engage over 2300 local governments to implement energy efficient technologies.   As part of these programs, Paul has met with countless corporations, large and small business, utilities, associations and other stakeholders to understand market barriers and to develop market-based solutions and implement strategic plans to increase the adoption of energy efficient technologies. Paul holds Master of Science and Bachelors degrees in Architectural Engineering and is a certified Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

Ron Pierce is the Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In his prior role, he served as an independent management consultant, where he led efforts to address issues on environmental and climate change for several small businesses and military veteran lawmakers. He spent five years as Senior Director of PBS Veterans and Small Business Initiatives on the Station Services Team. Ron led the national planning, coordination, and implementation efforts for member stations and other public media partners across the country. Over the course of two high-profile presidential campaigns, he was the National Director of small business, veterans, and military family outreach programs at the DNC. A combat veteran, Ron spent 11 years as a U.S. Army Officer. He earned his B.S. in Behavioral Human Services from U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, and holds a Master of International Affairs from The Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA.

Ross Wilkers is Washington Technology's senior staff reporter covering the business of government contracting, plus the companies and trends that shape the market. He joined WT in 2017 and works with Editor-in-Chief Nick Wakeman to host and produce our "Project 38" podcast featuring interviews with the market's leading executives and voices. Ross is a native of Northern Virginia and is an alumnus of George Mason University.