Improving AI strategic coordination: A conversation with Pamela Isom

Pamela K. Isom serves as Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Office (AITO) for the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and previously served as the DOE Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) for Architecture, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (AET&I).

Ms. Isom is a leader in ideation with extensive knowledge and experience in applying artificial intelligence in the digital ecosystem, enabling DOE to fulfill its strategic goals and objectives. She is a recipient of the 2021 Federal 100 Awards for her exceptional contributions in the way information technology is used to advance vital government missions. Ms. Isom is also a two-time recipient of the federal Gears of Government Award for her exceptional advancements in artificial intelligence and geospatial data science at DOE, and a recipient of the InnovateIT: Modernization Innovation Leader Award for excellence in federal government IT modernization leadership.

As a principal corporate officer, she inspires others to leverage AI automation and analytics to secure and optimize systems for high-impact outcomes in clean-energy, equity, and responsible and trustworthy (R&T) AI. She brings over 25 years of business transformation and expertise to the agency. With a natural talent for blending business with IT, Isom advances the DOE mission through AITO in delivering highly impactful R&T AI across the DOE community and the national laboratories. She has made great strides in the implementation of AI assurances and cybersecurity controls, and is a strong Chief Data Officers (CDO) partner.

In 2015, Ms. Isom joined the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from the private sector and served as the Director of the Office of Application Engineering and Development, where she led design, development, and implementation of high quality patent, trademark, and corporate systems in support of federal IT modernization efforts.

Michael has two decades of experience with both the private and public sectors encompassing strategic planning, business process redesign, strategic communications and marketing, performance management, change management, executive and team coaching, and risk-financing.

Michael leads the IBM Center for The Business of Government's leadership research. As the Center’s Leadership Fellow, his work is at the nexus of the Center’s mission – connecting research to practice. My work at that the Center complements frontline experience of actual government executives with practical insights from thought leaders who produce Center reports – merging real-world experience with practical scholarship. The purpose is not to offer definitive solutions to the many management challenges facing executives, but to provide a resource from which to draw practical, actionable recommendations on how best to confront such issues. Michael also hosts and produces the IBM Center’s The Business of Government Hour. He has interviewed and profiled hundreds of senior government executives from all levels of government as well as recognized thought leaders focusing on a range of public management issues and trends. Over the last four years, Michael has expanded both the show’s format and reach – now broadcasting informational and educational conversations with dedicated public servants on two radio stations five times a week and anywhere at anytime over the web and at iTunes. Michael is also the managing editor of The Business of Government magazine, with a targeted audience of close to 14,000 government and non-government professionals. Additionally, he manages the Center’s bi-annual proposal review process that awards stipends to independent, third party researchers tackling a wide range of public management issues.

Prior to joining the Center, Michael worked as a senior managing consultant with IBM GBS (Global Business Services) and as a principle consultant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ Washington Consulting Practice (WCP). He led projects in the private and federal civilian sectors including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, FEMA, and the Veterans Health Administration. Before entering consulting, he worked in the private sector as product development manager at a New York City based risk financing firm.

Since 2003, Mr. Keegan has been a reviewer for Association of Government Accountant’s Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR)© program, keeping abreast of the most recent developments in authoritative standards affecting federal accounting, financial reporting and performance measurement. He is also a member of APPAM, the NYU Alumni Association, and the Data Center & Cloud Talent, USA. He holds masters in public administration and management from New York University and was the founder of its DC alumni group as well as previous treasurer of the NYU graduate school’s alumni board.