Women In Federal IT & Cyber Conference Panel #1: Designing a Network

Moderator: Shila Cooch, OMB

Shila Cooch, an 18-year civil servant of the U.S. Federal Government, is recognized as an accomplished government technology and policy executive who expertly manages monumental organizational change - currently serving under the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO), in the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

As a career executive, Shila has an unwavering passion for developing and leading a 21st century workforce that reflects diversity, overcoming workforce inequality, and supporting efforts to close the gender gap in the Federal Tech Sector. By investing time and resources, Shila has been able to recruit and mentor a more diverse work force in STEM, while impacting areas including information technology, data science and cybersecurity positions. In her current role as the Director of Information Technology Policy for the Federal CIO, Shila leads efforts to architect and inform shared services policy, government-wide standardization efforts, and cross-government collaboration as they relate to IT modernization and Cybersecurity.

Previously, Shila served as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security’s Chief Information Officer. Appointed in 2015, she provided strategic counsel on a wide-range of issues, including those related to legislative and public affairs, technology policy matters, and organizational planning. In her tenure, Shila served in a variety of leadership positions at DHS to include Department’s Immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Management and DHS Science and Technology Directorate where she aided in Presidential transitions and process optimization. Shila got her start on the Hill by serving as a communication specialist for a Virginia Senator.

When not working, Shila can often be found cheering for her children at sporting events.

Panelist #1: Kyra Stewart, GSA

Kyra M. Stewart serves as the Team Lead for the Technology Business Management (TBM) Program Management Office (PMO) at the General Services Administration. In this role, she supports TBM Implementation across the Federal government. With more than $90 billion spent on Federal IT each year, her work is integral to increasing cost transparency and enabling better data-driven decision making. As part of GSA’s Office of Governmentwide Policy, the TBM PMO partners with OMB to identify best practices, understand agency needs, and establish related guidance and policy. Ms. Stewart originally came to GSA when she was selected as 1 of 14 White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP) Fellows in 2017. As a Fellow, Kyra staffed the Federal IT Spending Transparency Cross-Agency Performance (CAP) Goal team, part of the President’s Management Agenda.

Ms. Stewart was selected for WHLDP by the Department of Transportation where she served as the Director of Innovation and led the IdeaHub Program, an on-line ideation platform. Using IdeaHub, DOT’s 55k employees propose process improvements. As an enterprise-level program, IdeaHub is the largest ideation platform in the Federal sector. The program has been credited with positioning DOT as a Top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government, an assessment performed by the Partnership for Public Service. Additionally, IdeaHub was recognized as a Top 25 innovation in government by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Ms. Stewart holds a Master of Public Administration from American University’s Key Executive program and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia. She was an INROADS scholar. Kyra lives in Washington, DC with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.

Panelist #2: Rotimi Abimbola, DOI

Rotimi Abimbola serves as the Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this capacity she works alongside the CIO to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical communities and support mission functions. Rotimi embraces the opportunity to utilize technology as an enabler and a resource to empower and equip staff and citizens with the resources they need.

Rotimi is always interested in identifying solutions that are designed to effectively meet the complex mission needs of our workforce and end-user population.

Panelist #3: Sarah Moffat, VA

Sarah Moffat is a talent development expert, an ideator, and strategic initiator. Sarah’s passion is working with people, strengthening the culture of learning and leadership development, and finding new ways to engage, empower, and excite learners. When leading teams, Sarah employs transformational and servant leadership to engage them and create space for team members to build their strengths and contribute in a way that brings fulfillment and job satisfaction. Sarah has more than 15 years in talent development, a B.S. in Psychology, and is an Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team.