MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Strategic Growth Partners is bringing back the 2nd annual Tribal Edge Summit. In light of the immense changes that have been implemented in recent months, it is essential to come together with fellow business leaders and GovCon experts to network and arm your business with actionable strategies to protect your contracts and win new opportunities. The Tribal Edge Summit will help you leverage partnerships, gain insights, as well as protect and even grow your federal pipeline.
MATCHMAKING
At this year’s summit we are excited to offer matchmaking. Please indicate if you are interested as you complete the registration process.
Flexing Tribal Partnership Advantages
when
Welcome Dinner: April 23, 2025
Main Event: April 24-25, 2025
Where
InterContinental – Washington D.C. – The Wharf
About the Tribal Edge Summit
Who this event is for
All tribal businesses: Tribal 8(a)s, NHOs, ANCs & Tribal Nation Leaders
Small, medium, and large government contractors
Executive Agency Contracting & Program Officials
what you can expect
Timely session topics on the main stage as well as breakout sessions
Expanded networking opportunities for tribes, businesses, and partners
Strategies on how to protect your contracts and win new opportunities
Access to a community of tribal organizations and GovCon businesses actively seeking mutually beneficial partnerships
Full Agenda
We have updated our agenda to reflect the current issues faced in the contracting community. Please note that the agenda is subject to change as we finalize the remainder of the high-impact speakers we have invited.
7:30A – 9:00A
REGISTRATION – Sponsored by Puyenpa
8:00A – 8:45A
WELCOME BREAKFAST – Sponsored by Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors
8:45A – 8:55A
Welcome & Opening Remarks
John Cook – CGO & President, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
8:55A – 9:00A
Introduction to the Day
Michele Musso – Consultant & Communications Specialist, Strategic Growth Partners
9:00A – 9:30A
State of the Federal Marketplace
John Shoraka – CEO, Strategic Growth Partners, Former SBA Associate Administrator
9:35A – 10:15A
The Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity
Moderator: John Shoraka – CEO, Strategic Growth Partners, Former SBA Associate Administrator
Panelists:
Kevin Allis – President, Thunderbird Strategic
Jerrod Mallinger – Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
10:20A – 11:00A
Keynote: DOGE and the GovCon
Speaker: Joseph Jordan – President, Actuparo
11:05A – 11:55A
Federal Contracting Under the Trump Administration
Moderator: Trevor Skelly – President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Panelists:
Matt Schoonover – Managing Member, Schoonover + Moriarty LLC
Meghan Leemon – Partner & Attorney, Piliero Mazza PLLC
11:55A- 12:00P
Intermediate Announcement
Michele Musso – Strategic Growth Partners
12:00P – 1:15P
LUNCH – Sponsored by Terra Constructs
LOBBY HALL (Next to Mainstage Room)
12:30P – 1:15P
CMMC: Cybersecurity
Moderator: Steven Covey - Chief Strategy Officer, Kaiva
Panelists:
Eileen Summers – Kaiva
Adam Austin – Co-founder & Cybersecurity Lead, Totem Tech
1:20P – 2:00P
M&A / Financial Investments
Moderator: John Shoraka – CEO, Strategic Growth Partners, Former SBA Associate Administrator
Panelists:
Saif Ahmad, GP & Investor, Diversified Investment Fund
Sharon Heaton – Founder & CEO, sbLiftOff
Erin Andrew – Senior Managing Director, Turning Rock Partners
2:05P – 2:45P
Mentor Protégé & Joint Ventures
Moderator: Trevor Skelly, President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Panelists:
Susan Kidd – CEO, DRT Strategies & DRTConfidence
Steven Covey – Chief Strategy Officer, Kaiva
Jared Townshend - Managing Director, Joint Venture Programs, Deloitte
2:50P – 3:30P
Outlook for SDVOSBs
Moderator: Trevor Skelly – President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Panelists:
Exavier Watson – President, CRS
Dr. Eric "Doc" Wright – Founder, Vets2PM
3:35P – 3:55P
HAPPY HOUR & BREAKOUT TRANSITION
4:00P – 5:40P
BREAKOUT SESSIONS – See next tab
5:45 – 7:00PM
NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR – Sponsored by Wesco
LOCATION – SEAPORT ROOM 1
4:00P – 4:30P
How to Sole Source
Moderator: Ryan Heidt – VP Business Development, Island Empire Tech Systems
Panelists:
Emil Hinkefent – President, Kaiva
Mike White – President, Puyenpa
Jae Kang – EVP, CNE Companies
4:35P – 5:05P
How to Launch a Tribal 8(a) + Economic Development
Cameron Echo Hawk – CEO, Kaiva
Jerrod Mallinger – Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
5:10P – 5:40P
EOs, Regulations, and Judicial Updates
Moderator: Anna Sanders – Senior Consultant, Small Business Advisory, SGP
Panelists:
Therese Meers – Former SBA General Counsel
Meghan Leemon – Partner & Attorney, Piliero Mazza PLLC
LOCATION – SEAPORT ROOM 2
4:00P – 4:30P
Pricing Strategies & Challenges
Jon Barker – VP of Pricing, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
4:35P – 5:05P
Proposals Best Practices
Melissa Palmer – VP of Proposals, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
5:10P – 5:40P
Effective Partnering Strategies with Entity-Owned Firms
Kurt Walters – EVP of Growth Strategy, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
LOCATION – HARBOR ROOM
4:00P – 4:30P
Indirect Rate & Accounting Guidelines to Comply with DCAA Regulations
Robert Smith – CEO, ICAT Systems
4:35P – 5:05P
Winning the Talent War: Recruiting in GovCon
Ali Iqbal – Recruiting Division, Back Office Support SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
5:10P – 5:40P
Smarter Growth: AI, Branding & Teaming Strategies
Michael LeJeune – Partner, Federal Access Program Manager, RSM Federal
8:00A – 9:00A
Breakfast – Sponsored by Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors
MAIN STAGE ROOM & LOBBY
9:00A – 9:10A
Day 2 Welcome
John Cook – CGO, President Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
9:10A – 9:45A
Becoming a Tribal 8(a) And Ensuring Operational Guidance for Tribally Owned Companies
Moderator: John Shoraka – CEO, Strategic Growth Partners, Former SBA Associate Administrator
Panelists:
Cameron Echo Hawk – CEO, Kaiva
Jerrod Mallinger – Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
9:45 – 9:55A
Announcement & Transfer Break | Matchmaking
Michele Musso – Strategic Growth Partners
10:00A -12:30P
Conference Matchmaking & Connections
Hilary Sutton – SGP Director, Marketing & Communications
12:35P – 12:50P
Closing Remarks & Send-Off Lunch
John Cook – CGO, President Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
1:00P
Summit End
Featured Speakers
Meet some of our featured speakers of the Tribal Edge Summit primed to share their expertise to inspire collaboration, spark ideas, and drive success through tribal partnerships.
We are currently obtaining final approvals from additional government personnel and look forward to having presenters from various agencies.
John Shoraka
CEO, Strategic Growth Partners
Former SBA Associate Administrator
John Cook
CGO, Strategic Growth Partners
Trevor Skelly
President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Saif Ahmad
GP & Investor, Diversified Investment Fund
Jerrod Mallinger
Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
Eric "Doc" Wright, PhD
Founder VETS2PM
Therese Meers
Former SBA General Counsel
Jared Townshend
Managing Director, Joint Venture Programs, Deloitte
Michael LeJeune
Partner, Federal Access Program Manager, RSM Federal
Matthew Schoonover
Managing Member at Schoonover & Moriarty LLC
Cameron Echo Hawk
CEO, Kaiva Corporation, Economic Development Advisor, PAH Corporation & Deep Creek Corporation
Emil Hinkefent
President, Kaiva Corportion
Steve Covey
CSO, Kaiva Corporation
Mike White
President, Puyenpa Technologies LLC
Jae Kang
EVP, Cheroenhaka Nottoway Enterprises, LLC
Kurt Walters
EVP Business Development, Strategic Growth Partners
Melissa Palmer
VP of Proposals, Strategic Growth Partners
Meghan Leemon
Partner & Attorney, PilieroMazza PLLC
Jon Barker
VP of Pricing, Strategic Growth Partners
Ali Iqbal
Recruiting Division, Strategic Growth Partners
Ryan Heidt
VP Business Development, Island Empire Tech Systems
Adam Austin
Co-founder & Cybersecurity Lead, Totem Tech
Susan Kidd
CEO, DRT Strategies & DRTConfidence
Robert Smith
CEO, ICAT Systems
Joseph Jordan
President, Actuparo
Eileen Summers
Cyber Assurance Division Manager, Kaiva Corporation
Sharon Heaton
CEO and Founder, sbLiftOff
STAY TUNED by following us on LinkedIn and keeping an eye out for the full agenda to see a full lineup of speakers.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We’ve thoughtfully designed premier opportunities to showcase your brand while supporting the summit. View our prospectus below and send all inquiries to [email protected].
Thank you Sponsors!
Welcome Dinner + Platinum sponsors
platinum sponsors
event sponsors
gold sponsor
silver sponsors
A/V sponsor
event sponsors
Book Your Stay
when
Welcome Dinner: April 23, 2025
Main Event: April 24-25, 2025
Where
InterContinental – Washington D.C. – The Wharf
801 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC, US
Plan your trip around the Wharf! Learn More
Learn more about Strategic Growth Partners and how we serve as a powerhouse hub for small businesses and tribal organizations competing in the federal marketplace.
