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.

Robert Connolly joined the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in June of 2008 as Deputy Director, and he currently serves as Director. In that capacity, he is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the DOJ’s small business procurement programs, which promote small business participation in DOJ’s $8 billion procurement operation. Prior to working at DOJ, Bob served as Program Analyst in the Office of Government Contracting at the Small Business Administration (SBA). He was SBA’s representative on the Change Control Board, a multi-agency committee responsible for the implementation of the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation, the database used for tracking and measuring contracting achievement by small businesses. A career small business procurement professional and small business advocate, Bob has a wealth of knowledge and experience in small business contracting matters having served in SBA’s 8(a) Program, the Small Disadvantaged Business Program, the HUBZone Program, and the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs during his 32 year federal career.

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.

Melinda Rogers was designated as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Information Resource Management in September 2020. Prior to her designation, she served as Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO), and earlier she was the Department’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In her role as CIO, Ms. Rogers is responsible for overseeing the Department’s $3.4 billion Information Technology (IT) investment portfolio, providing strategic direction to DOJ Components, and directly supporting mission operations through IT service delivery. Additionally, within Ms. Rogers’ purview is the Department’s Cybersecurity Program, which proactively monitors and mitigates risks associated with the management, security, and acquisition of DOJ technology assets. Ms. Rogers also has extensive experience in the banking and financial services sector in private industry, where she was most recently Equifax’s Assistant Vice President for Fraud Prevention and Identity Verification Solutions. Ms. Rogers received her MBA from Emory University in Atlanta and is an alumna of George Mason University.

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.

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.