Innovating for Impact

Leading Innovation in a Complex Government System with Leland Dudek

Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, Innovating for Impact episodes bring together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
On this episode, Mandy sits down with Leland Dudek, a longtime federal technology and security leader with deep experience across SSA, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and IT modernization. The conversation starts with a critical question: when is government innovation actually delivering impact, and when is it just noise?
 
They explore what it really takes to move the needle inside government, from tackling fraud with smarter analytics and responsible AI use, to balancing data access with citizen trust and transparency. They also dig into the structural challenges that slow progress, including competing priorities, incentives, and the realities of operating in a consensus-driven environment.
 
The discussion expands into how agencies can better focus their efforts, what industry often gets wrong when engaging government, and why understanding mission outcomes matters more than selling capabilities. It wraps with a forward-looking take on AI—where it can truly help, where it can go wrong, and how it can be used to deliver faster, more compassionate services to citizens.
 
To connect with Leland, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Innovation, Defense Tech, and Leadership, A Conversation with Dr. Ravi Chaudhary

Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, Innovating for Impact episodes bring together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
From the cockpit to the Pentagon, Ravi Chaudhary brings a rare, big-picture view of what “innovation for impact” really looks like. In this episode, host Mandy Peckham sits down with the former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy and Installations, an aerospace engineer, combat C-17 pilot, and national security leader who oversaw infrastructure and energy across 200+ Air Force installations and helped drive major breakthroughs, from a $235M blended-wing aircraft effort to deploying the nation’s first small nuclear reactor in Alaska.
The conversation opens in Ravi’s office, where he uses personal artifacts—a Delta II rocket model tied to the first GPS constellation, a compass gifted by Secretary Frank Kendall, and a memento from his grandfather—to anchor the episode’s theme: innovation is technical, but it’s also deeply human, values-driven, and shaped by hard-earned lessons. Mandy asks how his experiences across defense, aviation, and energy formed his approach, and Ravi makes the case for breaking out of silos—because even the best solution can fail without the right culture, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.
You’ll hear why resilient energy is becoming a national security imperative, how microgrids and waste-to-energy systems could harden bases against cyberattack and extreme weather, and why public-private partnerships are often the difference between “great idea” and real execution. Ravi also shares a powerful story about his family’s journey to service—and the mindset he believes the next generation must bring—spotlighting innovators like Titan Dynamics, who are reimagining rapid, mobile drone manufacturing at operational speed.
To connect with Ravi, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Why Trust Is the Missing Link in Healthcare Innovation with Lori Murphy

Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, Innovating for Impact episodes bring together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
On this episode, Mandy sits down with Lori Murphy, Senior Director of Business Development for Federal VA at Unite Us and a licensed clinical social worker with more than two decades of frontline experience. Lori brings a rare perspective shaped by years of direct patient care across the VA, community hospitals, nonprofits, and mental health settings, combined with her current work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and social services.
 
The conversation traces Lori’s journey into social work and explores how her firsthand experience with unmet social needs shaped her views on healthcare delivery, policy, and innovation. Mandy and Lori dig into why social determinants of health are still underestimated in patient outcomes, how care coordination has evolved inside the VA, and what lessons siloed systems have taught her about interoperability and cross-sector collaboration.
 
The episode also examines the often-overlooked role of relationships and trust in driving meaningful change, highlighting how low-tech, community-based solutions can be just as powerful as advanced technology. Lori shares insights from pandemic-era initiatives, discusses where innovation in human services deserves more attention, and reflects on what industry still misunderstands about how federal healthcare agencies operate day to day.
 
To connect with Lori, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Unite Us by visiting their webpage here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Mission First: Reimagining Innovation in Government with Bennett Gebken

Welcome to the Innovating for Impact podcast that dives into the technologies, strategies, and changemakers reshaping how government serves people. From AI in public health to cybersecurity in federal systems, we spotlight innovations that don’t just disrupt—they deliver real-world impact.
Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, each episode brings together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
In this episode of Innovating for Impact, Mandy kicks off the new year with Bennett Gebken, CTO of Huntridge Labs and a former Presidential Innovation Fellow, Marine Corps infantry veteran, and long-time public sector technologist. Bennett shares how a mission-first mindset has shaped his approach across defense, federal agencies, and industry—and why mastering fundamentals matters more than chasing the latest technology trend.
 
The conversation explores common misconceptions about government, particularly the culture of extreme risk aversion that often rewards inaction over innovation. Bennett and Mandy unpack how misaligned incentives, bureaucratic de-risking, and fragmented ownership slow modernization efforts, while well-designed contracts and shared accountability can unlock real progress.
 
Drawing on real examples from VA, GSA, and USAID, Bennett discusses how aligning incentives across agencies and contractors enables collaboration, faster delivery, and better outcomes for the public. He also examines the growing role of AI, not as a silver bullet, but as a tool that lowers barriers for small teams when paired with strong engineering fundamentals and clear mission focus.
 
The episode closes with a candid look at disruption, workforce challenges, and cautious optimism for the future of government-industry partnerships. Bennett argues that despite political polarization and systemic strain, meaningful progress is still possible when teams stay grounded in mission, transparency, and results that truly serve the public.
 
To connect with Bennett, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Huntridge Labs by visiting their webpage here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.
 

Space, Innovation, and What Comes Next with Muon Space’s Paula Trimble

Welcome to the Innovating for Impact podcast that dives into the technologies, strategies, and changemakers reshaping how government serves people. From AI in public health to cybersecurity in federal systems, we spotlight innovations that don’t just disrupt—they deliver real-world impact.
Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, each episode brings together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
In this episode of the Innovating for Impact podcast, Mandy sits down with Paula Trimble, Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategy at Muon Space, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of space technology. Before joining Muon, Paula was the Director of Legislative and Interagency Engagement and Director of Small Business Programs at the Space Development Agency where she reduced barriers in the acquisition process and enabled small businesses and start-ups in space technology work with SDA. Paula talks about what first pulled her into the space world, how her career evolved alongside major shifts in U.S. innovation, and the groundbreaking projects shaping the next decade, from wildfire-detecting satellite constellations to the convergence of AI, data science, and space systems.
They explore how government, startups, and traditional aerospace players can partner more effectively, what acquisition reform really means for the industry, where the U.S. is leading (and where it must catch up), and the policies and workforce gaps that could accelerate, or slow, our momentum. Paula also shares insights for entrepreneurs and newcomers entering the field, the challenges of supply chains and budgeting, and what she would change if she could wave a magic wand over U.S. space innovation.
To connect with Paula, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Muon Space by visiting their webpage here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

Healing Through Innovation: How VR Is Transforming Mental Health Care with Todd Keitz

Welcome to the Innovating for Impact podcast that dives into the technologies, strategies, and changemakers reshaping how government serves people. From AI in public health to cybersecurity in federal systems, we spotlight innovations that don’t just disrupt—they deliver real-world impact.
Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, each episode brings together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
In this episode, Mandy sits down with Todd Keitz, a lifelong entrepreneur, social good advocate, and Head of North America at Magic Horizons, for a fascinating conversation at the crossroads of technology, healthcare, and humanity.
Todd shares his unexpected journey into virtual reality (VR) and how immersive technology is transforming mental health care, including reduction of stress and anxiety in veterans, cancer patients, clinicians, and an endless list of users' scenarios. He breaks down how the federal government, particularly the Veterans Health Administration, is using VR to improve outcomes through non-pharmacological treatments and why we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
Beyond tech, Todd opens up about his deeply personal work in the caregiver community, including the creation of My Care Friends, a free online platform where caregivers connect, learn, and support one another. He discusses the emotional and financial realities of caregiving, how COVID-19 brought these challenges to light, and why connection and hope are as vital as any new innovation.
Whether you’re curious about VR in healthcare, passionate about social impact, or simply seeking a story that blends purpose with progress, this episode will leave you inspired to think differently about how technology can serve people, not just processes.
To connect with Todd, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Magic Horizons by visiting their webpage here.Learn more about My Care Friends by visiting their webpage here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

From AI to Quantum: How Deep Tech Is Shaping the Future with Nardo Manaloto

Welcome to the Innovating for Impact podcast that dives into the technologies, strategies, and changemakers reshaping how government serves people. From AI in public health to cybersecurity in federal systems, we spotlight innovations that don’t just disrupt—they deliver real-world impact.
Hosted by Mandy Peckham, President and CEO of BSR Consulting, each episode brings together voices from across the public sector and tech industry to explore what it takes to modernize responsibly, scale effectively, and lead with purpose in complex government ecosystems.
If you're building for mission outcomes—not just market share—this is your front row seat to the future of public innovation.
In this episode, Mandy reconnects with longtime mentor and innovator Nardo Mataloto, Managing Partner of Qubits Ventures, a global venture capital firm investing in quantum technologies, AI, and the future of computing. With over 25 years at the intersection of emerging tech, healthcare innovation, and entrepreneurship, Nardo shares how his journey from building AI in healthcare to launching a global deep tech fund is shaping the next wave of exponential computing.
Together, they explore how quantum and frontier technologies are transforming industries — from healthcare and cybersecurity to defense and space — and how the U.S. stacks up against global competitors in this new technological race. Nardo also discusses his vision for venture studios that accelerate the commercialization of deep tech worldwide, the ethical dimensions of innovation, and why he believes the future of humanity depends on exponential thinking.
If you’re curious about the future of AI, quantum computing, or what’s next in deep tech, this conversation will expand your thinking and inspire you to see what’s possible.
To connect with Nardo, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Qubits Ventures International by visiting their webpage here.
Connect with host Mandy by following her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about BSR Consulting by visiting their webpage here.