GovCIO Media & Research Announces Finalists for the 2026 Federal Tech Leaders Summit Flywheel Awards
GovCIO Media & Research has named the finalists for the Federal Tech Leaders Summit Flywheel Awards, recognizing federal technology leaders transforming government innovation. Voting is open May 1–15, and winners will be celebrated June 12 at the Summit in Washington, D.C.
May 1, 2026
Fairfax, Va. –
Fairfax, Va. – GovCIO Media & Research, a leading federal technology media company, announced the finalists for the Federal Tech Leaders Summit Flywheel Awards – an awards program established to recognize key federal IT leaders’ achievements and contributions.
Public voting for the winners will run May 1–May 15, giving the federal technology community the opportunity to help elevate leaders driving mission‑advancing innovation. The winners will be announced June 12 at the Federal Tech Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
“Federal technology is moving faster than ever, and the leaders recognized through the Flywheel Awards are the ones turning possibility into real-world mission impact. Their vision, collaboration and drive are what keep government innovation accelerating forward,” said Michael Hoffman, President, GovCIO Media & Research.
The Federal Tech Leaders Summit Flywheel Award Finalists include:
- Megan Baird, Acting Administrator, Office of Apprenticeship, Employment and Training, DOL
- Natalie Buda Smith, Director of Digital Strategy (AI), Library of Congress
- Sylvia Burns, CIO, FDIC
- Sean Cairncross, National Cyber Director, White House
- Brian Campo, Deputy CIO, Coast Guard
- Jeff Claunch, Director, Enterprise Hosting Solutions, USDA
- Susan Davenport, Chief Data and AI Officer, Department of the Air Force
- Kirsten Davies, CIO, DOW
- Dr. Josh Denny, CEO, All of US, NIH
- Jothi Dugar, CISO, NIH CIT
- Jacob Glassman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology Foundations, DOW
- Ty Hughes, Director of Cyber Security Integrity Center, State
- Tom Keane, National Coordinator for Health IT, ONC
- Chris Kraft, CIO, Secret Service
- Chris Kuang, Director, U.S. Digital Corps
- Mangala Kuppa, CIO and CAIO, DOL
- Niki Maslin, CAIO and CTO, EPA
- Kevin Murphy, Acting CDO and CAIO, Chief Science Data Officer, NASA
- Vu Nguyen, CISO, DOJ
- Jill Reilly, Acting Chief Innovation Officer, NARA
- Amy Ritualo, Acting CAIO, State
- Zack Schwartz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, VA
- Stephanie Shutt, Chief of Staff, GSA FAS
- Rangam Subramanian, Filing Season and Legislative Delivery Resource Director, IRS
- Barry Tanner, Deputy CIO, Department of the Navy
- Justin Ubert, Director, Cyber Protection, DOT
- John Wagner, Chairman, National Laboratory Directors’ Council
- Joseph Welch, Executive Director for Transformation and Training Command, Army
- Seth Whitworth, Acting Associate Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, Acting CISO, Space Force
Voting is open through May 15. Cast your vote here. Winners will be announced June 12 at our Federal Tech Leaders Summit.
Visit GovCIO Media & Research’s Federal Tech Leaders Summit page to view the full agenda, speaker lineup and register for this must-attend annual event.
About GovCIO Media & Research
GovCIO Media & Research, an independent media company, provides insights and analysis on federal IT innovation and is the leading industry solutions resource. Our team utilizes a multi-platform approach to today’s most pressing issues through video, podcasts, events, articles and special reports that keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government.
Visit https://govciomedia.com/ for more information.
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