Reflection: Thought Leadership
“A thought leader is someone who shapes how people think in an industry. It’s a role that can be both thrilling and delicate, because people act on what they think.”
While working in the federal space as both a contractor and a federal employee over the past 18 years, I have been fortunate to work with people who value the time and effort I’ve invested in learning and mastering the concepts and frameworks that form the foundation of my expertise.
I’ve found that my work in the federal space—particularly around strategic IT portfolio management, CPIC, and IT governance—has naturally led to influencing perspectives on how agencies approach IT investments. This influence stems from demonstrating the tangible value of implementing these frameworks effectively and showing how they can be integrated with broader IT management processes.
By connecting CPIC and portfolio management with IT governance, program/project management, risk management, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and acquisition planning, I’ve helped stakeholders see the bigger picture:
--Streamlining and consolidating data to reduce silos and eliminate duplicative requirements
--Visualizing the IT landscape to identify redundancies and inefficiencies
--Tracking funding flows to ensure transparency and accountability
--Driving cost savings and cost avoidance through smarter IT investment decisions.
What I’m learning is that influence doesn’t come from prescribing solutions—it comes from enabling understanding. When leaders see how these processes work together to create a more agile, secure, and cost-effective IT environment, they become champions for change themselves. It’s about shifting the conversation from compliance to strategic value, and that’s where real transformation happens.
Happy Founders’ Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Today, we celebrate 118 years of sisterhood, scholarship, and service as we honor the visionary women who founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Their legacy continues to inspire us to uphold our motto: Service to All Mankind.
As members of this illustrious sisterhood, we work tirelessly to make a difference in our communities—whether through educational initiatives, health advocacy, economic empowerment, or social justice. Our commitment to service is not just a tradition; it is a calling that shapes every aspect of our lives.
A special shout-out to my beloved Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter of Springfield/Lorton, VA! Sorors, your dedication and leadership shine brightly. You exemplify what it means to be leaders in our careers and private lives, while also embracing the many roles we hold—wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. Through it all, we remain united in purpose and passion, lifting each other as we climb.
On this Founders’ Day, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals that bind us together: sisterhood, scholarship, and service. May we continue to lead with grace, serve with humility, and inspire future generations to carry forward this extraordinary legacy.
Happy Founders’ Day, Sorors! Here’s to many more years of excellence and impact.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”
Happy Founders Day!
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Skeeee-Wee!
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1908
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Happy Founders Day! 〰️ Skeeee-Wee! 〰️ 1908 〰️
Using CPIC as a Strategic Lever for IT Portfolio Optimization in Federal Government
Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) is often seen as nothing more than a reporting and compliance exercise—something we do to meet OMB requirements. But CPIC is so much more than that. When the data and analysis are used strategically, they become a powerful tool for aligning IT investments with mission priorities and driving real value for the American people.
Here’s how CPIC can shift from a checkbox to a catalyst for optimization:
✅ Portfolio-Level Insights
CPIC data provides a holistic view of IT investments across the enterprise. By analyzing cost, risk, and performance metrics, we can identify redundancies, consolidate systems, and prioritize modernization efforts.
✅ Strategic Decision-Making
Rather than focusing solely on individual projects, CPIC enables us to evaluate trade-offs at the portfolio level. This means making informed decisions about where to invest, where to divest, and how to balance innovation with operational stability.
✅ Performance Accountability
CPIC isn’t just about planning—it’s about continuous improvement. Leveraging CPIC dashboards and metrics helps ensure that investments deliver on expected outcomes and remain aligned with agency goals.
In an era of tightening budgets and increasing demand for digital services, agencies face the dual challenge of doing more with less while accelerating modernization. CPIC provides a structured, data-driven framework that helps leaders make informed decisions about where to allocate scarce resources for maximum impact. By leveraging CPIC’s portfolio-level visibility, agencies can identify overlapping investments, eliminate redundancies, and prioritize initiatives that deliver the greatest mission value.
This approach ensures that every dollar spent on IT contributes to measurable outcomes—whether improving citizen services, enhancing cybersecurity, or enabling emerging technologies. CPIC transforms investment management from a compliance exercise into a strategic discipline, empowering agencies to balance innovation with operational stability and maintain accountability across the entire IT portfolio.
The Power of Branding: Why Your Logo and Identity Matter
Branding isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a meaningful connection with your audience. In today’s competitive landscape, your brand is often the first impression people have of your business. That impression can determine whether they trust you, engage with you, or choose you over the competition.
Branding isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a meaningful connection with your audience. In today’s competitive landscape, your brand is often the first impression people have of your business. That impression can determine whether they trust you, engage with you, or choose you over the competition.
Why Branding Matters
Your brand is more than a name or a color scheme—it’s your story, your values, and your promise. A strong brand identity communicates professionalism, credibility, and consistency. It tells your audience who you are and why you matter.
The Role of a Meaningful Logo
Your logo is the visual cornerstone of your brand. It should be simple yet memorable, reflecting your mission and personality. A well-designed logo:
Builds recognition – People remember visuals faster than words.
Conveys trust – A polished logo signals reliability and quality.
Sets you apart – Unique design differentiates you from competitors.
Beyond the Logo: Business Identity
Brand identity includes your tone, messaging, and visual elements like fonts and colors. When these elements work together, they create a cohesive experience that resonates with your audience. Consistency across your website, social media, and marketing materials reinforces your brand and builds loyalty.
Investing in Your Brand
Proper branding is an investment in your future. It positions your business for growth, attracts the right clients, and creates lasting impressions. Whether you’re launching a new venture or refreshing your image, start with a clear identity and a logo that speaks volumes.
Your brand is your voice—make sure it’s heard.
Reflection: Choosing Courage Over Comfort
Earlier this year, like thousands of other Federal employees, I faced one of the most pivotal moments of my career. As a GS-15 Director of IT Resource Management at USDA, I had spent years leading strategic initiatives, managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, and driving operational excellence. But when reductions in force (RIF) were being carried out across other Federal agencies and similar plans were looming at USDA, my position seemed to be at risk of being eliminated.
Earlier this year, like thousands of other Federal employees, I faced one of the most pivotal moments of my career. As a GS-15 Director of IT Resource Management at USDA, I had spent years leading strategic initiatives, managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, and driving operational excellence. But when reductions in force (RIF) were being carried out across other Federal agencies and similar plans were looming at USDA, my position seemed to be at risk of being eliminated.
So I had a choice: stay and hope to be one of the remaining few left once the dust settles…or take a leap into uncertainty. I chose courage…I took the leap and opted into the second Deferred Resignation Program offered by USDA. I closed a chapter in federal service, regained control of my life, my career, and my livelihood, and opened a new chapter built on faith, resilience, and self-investment.
Leaving what use to be considered the "security of government employment" wasn’t easy. It meant stepping away from a role I had worked so hard at since earning a promotion in 2024, work I was passionate about, and people I genuinely appreciated working and learning with. USDA was my family. But it also meant betting on myself—my skills, my experience, and my vision. I realized that I could continue contributing to public service in other ways…once again as a contractor for the government and also as a Virginia commissioned notary public. That realization gave birth to MDLevy LLC, a company grounded in the same principles that guided my federal career: integrity, innovation, and public service.
Today, MDLevy LLC is more than a business—it’s a platform for my transformation…hence the phoenix in the logo for my flagship series, Passion & Pride Consulting Services. Through strategic advisory, business development, creative design, and notary services, I can help agencies and partners navigate complexity with clarity and confidence through the experience and expertise I've acquired over the last 17 years as an employee and a contractor for the Federal government.
This journey taught me that risk isn’t the enemy—it’s the gateway to growth. Sometimes, the boldest move you can make is to walk away from what’s familiar and invest in what’s possible.
If you’re standing at a crossroads, wondering whether to take that leap, remember this: your greatest investment will always be in YOURSELF!