The Trump administration was characterized by record turnover and high vacancy rates in leadership posts and deep skepticism about the career workforce. After a turbulent transition, it is vital that the new administration take steps to revitalize the career civil service. So what does Biden’s workforce plan entail? How can new presidential appointees leverage the expertise and experience of federal employees to successfully implement the administration’s priorities? On this first day of The New Agenda digital summit, join Government Executive and hear from federal managers and executives on the future of the federal workforce under President Biden.
All times EST and subject to change
1:00pm
Editorial
Welcome Remarks
Katherine McIntire Peters, Deputy Editor, Government Executive Media Group
The New Management Agenda: Returning Safely to the Workplace, A Session by our Founding Underwriter, ServiceNow
Jonathan Alboum, Principal Digital Strategist, Federal Government, ServiceNow
Kevin Brooks, DOD/IC Digital Strategist, ServiceNow
Description
The return to the workplace hinges on the efficient management of processes that we never dreamed would be part of our daily workplace life – vaccine administration, contact tracing, PPE inventory and supply chain management, phased return to office, desk spacing and more. These processes require a high level of coordination and communication across operational functions, as well as a plan to digitally
transform your organization. COVID-19 has shown that agencies must be able to provide their employees the right experience anywhere and ensure exceptional customer service with connected digital workflows under any condition. This session will discuss how to enable this coordination with a service-focused, digital-enabled approach.
Digital government took on a whole new meaning in 2020, with the abrupt and rapid increase in remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IT modernization is top of mind for many and the Biden administration has already urged Congress to direct billions in emergency funding to updating federal IT infrastructure. But how exactly will the President’s plan work and how will these new structures impact and improve innovation? The new administration will also have to assess the fall out of the recent SolarWinds breaches and implement new cybersecurity policy and concrete solutions. During the second day of The New Agenda digital summit, Nextgov editors will convene with administration leadership and tech policy experts to discuss President Biden’s priorities for federal IT.
The Biden administration already has launched a series of major policy changes and culture reviews at the Pentagon under new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin — the first Black civilian leader of the military in U.S. history. After COVID response, Austin has placed racism, domestic extremism, and sexual assault in the ranks atop his early agenda, alongside force laydown reviews for Afghanistan, Germany, and around the globe. He’s also notably reset America’s tone with allies eager for more cooperation and less confrontation. And after four years of empty desks at the Pentagon, Austin’s fully-staffed policy team is expected to deliver new budget, strategy, and acquisition priorities. Defense One will speak to DOD leaders about what else to expect as they forge their plans. Join Defense One on the third day of The New Agenda digital summit and hear from top defense and global security leaders on what to expect in the four years ahead.
Jeremy Bash, Founder and Managing Director, Beacon Global Strategies
Kevin Baron, Executive Editor, Defense One
Description
Jeremy Bash, former chief of staff at the Defense Department and CIA, will discuss the Biden administration's policy priorities, budget wishes, and political challenges for its first 100 days and beyond, from Congress to China — and what Pentagon leaders and stakeholders can expect to navigate.
The New Defense Agenda: Delivering Great Employee Experiences, A Session by our Founding Underwriter, ServiceNow
Jonathan Alboum, Principal Digital Strategist, Federal Government, ServiceNow
Kevin Brooks, DOD/IC Digital Strategist, ServiceNow
Description
The workplace of March 2021 looks dramatically different than the workplace of March 2020. While employees have rolled with the changes to policies, procedures, and even work location are they as engaged and fulfilled as they were one year ago? Now more than ever, it is critical to provide self-service access to workplace information that helps people do their jobs and feel secure that management
understands and is addressing their concerns as they pertain to safety, access to technology, and interaction with colleagues. Learn how a human-centric approach to managing employee services can inform and shape the roll out of new systems and processes to support today’s workforce.
Chris Dougherty, Senior Fellow, Defense Program, Center for a New American Security
Todd Harrison, Director, Defense Budget Analysis, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Lieutenant General Tony Ierardi, U.S. Army (Retired), Chief of Staff, Rebellion Defense
Diem Salmon, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Defense Program, Center for New American Security, Strategy and Business Development, Anduril Industries
Many state and local governments are looking at the new administration as an opportunity to reset what was once a very special relationship. But what do state and local elected officials really want to see from the White House? It is important that President Biden engages and listens to the voices of state, city and county leaders while considering what his administration can bring to the table. From healthcare to public safety to education, how can the federal government form a better partnership with local entities on key issues? During the fourth day of the New Agenda summit, Route Fifty will sit down virtually with state and local leaders to examine what the new administration means for the future of intergovernmental affairs.
