Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem formally accepted the prestigious Wash100 Award, recognizing her as one of the government and government contracting sector’s 100 most influential leaders. Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson presented the honor to Noem, a first-time recipient, at the 2025 Homeland Security Summit. Noem immediately followed the acceptance by delivering a powerful keynote address, using the platform to outline the Department’s modernization priorities and directly challenge the private sector.
Focusing on Innovation and Modernization
Secretary Noem used the platform to highlight her commitment to cutting bureaucratic obstacles for partners. She stated that the Department actively seeks industry’s help to upgrade existing infrastructure and modernize key components, including the U.S. Coast Guard. Noem issued a strong call to action, encouraging contractors and technologists to seize the “new day” at DHS.
She asserted: “If you’ve had some kind of an idea or technology or service that you have not been able to deploy at the federal level… I want you to come to the table and bring those ideas and those technologies to us because we need it.” Her acceptance of the Wash100 Award marks the final presentation for the 2025 cycle.
