In this Season 4 blow‑out finale of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, we weave together powerful insights from thought‑provoking conversations to understand what it truly takes for small businesses—and especially Woman‑Owned Small Businesses—to thrive in government contracting. We unpack how some guests turned major contract losses into strategic wins, the misconceptions they faced about readiness and resilience, the role of AI and team collaboration in navigating SLED vs. federal markets, and how political shifts, contract terminations, and agency reorganizations reshaped their playbooks. We hear from those who treated strategy not as theory, but as a living, operational tool, and how clarity of purpose became their margin of advantage. Throughout, financial resilience, market diversification, and embracing innovation emerge not as luxuries, but necessities. This episode offers an unapologetically real reflection on GovCon’s triumphs, setbacks, and what lies ahead—and why preparedness is now the real differentiator for small businesses in this space.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• Withum – A forward-thinking, tech-driven advisory and accounting firm supporting businesses through the full GovCon lifecycle
• Follow Withum on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, Mac Liu, CEO of Vultron, and Noura Bashshur, Sr. Director of Growth, discuss how AI is transforming GovCon BD. From proposal sprints to intelligent automation, they break down what makes GovCon unique—and why now is the time to evolve. Mac shares lessons from Google and DoD innovation, while Noura offers real-world guidance on using AI to boost proposal quality and delivery. Whether you're after city, civilian, or defense contracts, this one’s for you.

Guest Bio:

Mac Liu is the CEO of Vultron and a seasoned engineering leader with experience at Google, Robinhood, and Anduril. He’s led major defense projects with NASA, DoD, and the U.S. Space Force—scaling contracts to $240M. At Vultron, he’s applying that cross-sector expertise to help GovCon teams win smarter with AI-powered solutions.

Noura Bashshur is Vultron’s Senior Director of Growth, leading strategy, partnerships, and AI-driven innovation in GovCon. With 7+ years in federal contracting, she’s led multi-million-dollar wins, built federal health practices, and brings deep expertise in BD, capture, and tech-enabled healthcare. Noura holds a Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about UnveilLenee: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveilLenee-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• Learn more about Vultron, request a demo
• Checkout Vultron’s AI-Powered Federal Proposal Development Platforms: Evaluation Framework and Factors

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GovCon landscape continues to shift under our feet. Agencies are reorganizing rapidly—driven more by politics than strategy. Budgets are in flux. Priorities are shifting. Entire programs are being paused, rebranded, or canceled.

Here’s the reality: a few good tactics won’t cut it. In uncertain times, the businesses that survive—and grow—are those with strategies clear enough to guide decisions, yet flexible enough to evolve. Without that, you're not navigating change—you’re being swept up by it.

In this episode, we unpack what happens when strategy takes a back seat and why now, more than ever, small businesses must pair big-picture thinking with tactical precision to stay competitive in a market where tomorrow’s rules are changing today.

Guest Bio:

Jazmen Jackson is a strategy consultant who helps small businesses grow with clarity and confidence. With over 10 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, family-run companies, and early-stage startups, Jazmen specializes in simplifying strategic planning, identifying growth opportunities, and turning everyday challenges into smart, actionable strategies.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, Jazmen works directly with business owners to create clear, practical plans—whether it’s refining a business model, improving operations, or charting a course for sustainable growth. Clients appreciate her down-to-earth style, no-jargon communication, and genuine investment in their success.

Jazmen holds a certificate in Strategic Management from Georgetown University and is a Certified Project Management Professional, Senior Business Strategy Professional, and Project Management Office - Certified Practitioner. She has experience in business process improvement, and small business consulting, equipping her with both the tools and insights to deliver real results—without the corporate fluff.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• Standard Strategy (STS) Group
• Access the Strategy Under Pressure: Action Guide

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is for the dreamers and the doers—especially the ones who thought getting a DUNS, a Cage Code, and a nice logo meant they were ready to roll. Let’s be real—there are a lot of misconceptions about how easy it is to “start” in GovCon. The truth? Many businesses start officially, but never truly enter the market. And some find out the hard way that they underestimated the time, money, and focus it takes just to get to the starting line; and in this episode, we’re going to evaluate that. First, we’ll explore the many ways small businesses find their way into this space—some by design, some by default. Then we’ll unpack what it really means to build alignment between your vision, your capacity, and your funding over time. Whether you’re new and exhausted, or established and re-evaluating, this episode is your reminder: It’s not just about getting in—it’s about staying in and growing on purpose.

Guest Bio:

Shakira (Shak) McCants is the CEO of MacMore, a women owned, Management and IT firm. Shak is a results-driven professional with nearly 20 years of experience in business development, project management, operations management, and strategic planning. She has a demonstrated track record of driving revenue growth and winning new projects through delivery excellence and identifying and transforming clients’ business needs into valued solutions. She was a member of the 2019 American Council for Technical and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) Voyagers program, served as a Leadership Industry Vice Chair for the 2021 ACT-IAC Associates program and she is currently the Industry Vice Chair for the ACT-IAC IT Management & Modernization Community of Interest and the ACT-IAC Voyagers 25 class. Shak holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of South Alabama.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• MACMORE: https://www.macmorellc.com/
• Follow MACMORE on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s discussion is all about something that doesn’t get talked about enough—but when it happens, it can shake your whole business: termination for convenience. It sounds polite, right? Like the government just doesn’t “need your services anymore.” But for a small business, it can mean canceled plans, stranded staff, sunk costs—and a scramble to recover.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what termination for convenience actually is, how it shows up, and what you can do—legally, financially, and strategically—to prepare for it or respond when it hits. Because in GovCon, it’s not always about what you win—it’s about how you withstand the unexpected.

Let’s get into it.

Guest Bio:

CPA at Withum for the Government Contractors group. She has over 18 years of experience in accounting. Lenee assists clients across a broad range of industries to include Government Contracting, Banking and Financial Services, and Manufacturing industries. Her role includes Internal Audit, SOX Compliance, FAR/DFARS Compliance, General Ledger Accounting, and SEC Financial Reporting responsibilities. She has implemented ERP and Financial Systems using Software Development Lifecyle (SDLC) best practices which include documenting business and data requirements, system integration testing, and user acceptance testing.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveilLenee-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feLeneeback and registration form.

Links:

• Learn more about Withum on their website
• Email Lenee Lyte
• Catch up with Withum at SECAF, SAME, and the VETS2025 conference in Orlando the week of May 12th!
• Termination for Convenience Checklist

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore how small businesses can take a smarter, data-driven approach to GovCon with the help of assistive AI. Teaming can accelerate growth or cause setbacks if not managed strategically. We break down the pursuit process, the importance of operational discipline, and how the right tools help you move faster, make better decisions, and protect your team, time, and reputation.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Gavriel Legynd is CEO of VisioneerIT, a firm delivering enterprise-level digital transformation, marketing, and cybersecurity solutions. With over 20 years in the tech industry, he has held key roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, NIST, HHS, ESRI, CACI, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he led security operations for mission-critical systems. He serves on the executive boards of the Disability Law Center of Virginia and the Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth, and co-chairs the NGLCC Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Inclusion Taskforce. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Legynd supports CivStart GovTech, FusionCyber, and Virginia SMART Communities STEM. He’s a former VP of the African American Marketing Association and has spoken at Inc. 5000, NGLCC, the Congressional LGBT+ Equality Caucus, and Johns Hopkins Business School. His education includes a journalism degree from George Mason, a master’s in network security, a PhD in computer science, and a law degree.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• VisioneerIT: https://www.visioneerit.com/
• OryonIQ: https://www.oryoniq.com/ - Government contracting is a numbers game. The more connections, the more opportunities. Using OryonIQ will help you find connections that lead to pipeline growth.
• Connect with Gavriel on LinkedIn
• Follow VisioneerIT on LinkedIn

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Government contracting promises big wins—but it’s not always what it seems. In this episode, we unpack the hard truths about teaming, trust, and the unpredictable nature of GovCon. When the roadmap fails and partnerships fall through, how do small businesses recover?

Tune in for a cautionary tale of perseverance, fine print, and the harsh realities behind the pursuit of federal contracts.

Guest Bio:

Dr. LaShonda Bracey is an entrepreneur, author, and government contracting expert with a background in Chemistry, Biology, Education, and Technology. As CEO of Health-Works1 LLC, she leads strategic consulting in contracting, acquisition, training, and course development for government agencies and small businesses.

With years of experience designing training programs for federal organizations, Dr. Bracey bridges technical expertise and practical application, making her a leader in workforce development and acquisition strategy. She’s the author of A-Z Guide to Government Contracting and a passionate advocate for small business success, offering mentorship and tech-driven solutions to help companies grow and secure contracts.

She regularly shares her insights through events, panels, and trainings, empowering others to thrive in the federal marketplace.

Call(s) to Action:

• 8 Week Government Contracting Challenge
• 7 Day Government Contracting Challenge! Starting March 16th
• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories

Links:

• Health Works: http://www.health-works1.com/index.html
• LaShonda Bracey: https://www.LaShondaBracey.com
• The Training Series: 2025 Government Contracting Mastery Series

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, we explore what happens when innovation meets bureaucracy in government contracting. Dean Niedosik shares how his team developed a promising cyber/AI product—only to have progress stalled by the pandemic and ultimately shut down by corporate decision-making. He reflects on navigating leadership hurdles, the shift to small business agility, and the balance between structure and creativity. It’s a candid look at resilience, pivoting under pressure, and rethinking innovation in federal markets.

Dean Niedosik is the Director of Growth at HumanTouch (HT), with over 20 years of experience in strategic innovation, tech sales, and systems integration across the public and private sectors. He leads business development, capture, and marketing to drive federal sector growth through data management and AI/NLP solutions. His career includes building the Red Bull brand, launching Alcatel Mobile’s IP products, and leading strategic innovation at Booz Allen. Dean also co-chairs AFCEA’s International Small Business Committee and Innovation Roundtable, championing small business success in government markets.

Call(s) to Action:

• Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-stories
• Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.

Links:

• HumanTouch: https://www.humantouchllc.com/
• Case Studies & Insights: https://www.humantouchllc.com/blog
• HumanTouch Capability Statement
• HumanTouch Solutions

Sponsors:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Withum – Diamond Sponsor!

Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.