This week, the GovNavigators welcome Love Rutledge, host of the Fed Upward Podcast and recently retired Senior Executive from the Department of Defense. From her start as a GS-7 working two jobs to leading readiness and talent initiatives at the Pentagon, Love shares lessons from 25 years in federal service—and why she’s optimistic about what comes next.

The conversation covers the latest DOD acquisition reforms, the perennial push for a clean audit, and the need for smarter, more flexible civilian personnel systems that make it easier to bring great people in (and back) to government. Plus, Love talks about how the challenges of paid parental leave inspired her to start Fed Upward and why so many feds are now seeking community through peer-to-peer networks.

Also this week: the government reopens after 43 days, a new Center for U.S. Lending launches under Doug Criscitello, and the White House issues an executive order to improve benefits delivery for American families.

Show Notes:

SOW (née Secretary of Defense): Acquisition demo

Center for U.S. Lending: Launch

What's on the GovNavigators Radar:

Nov 18: DefenseOne’s State of Defense Business Acquisition Summit

Dec 4-5: ACT-IAC's ELC in DC!