Defense IT Summit Flywheel Awards

Recognize accomplishments by federal employees and programs that transform and innovate federal technology.

Awards Categories

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Rising Star

Rising Star

A newcomer to national security IT who demonstrates a commitment to building innovative solutions that address national security problems. 
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Emerging Tech Innovator

Emerging Tech Innovator

This awardee harnesses new and emerging tools that adapt with expertise, changing the national security environment and moving it into the future. 
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Cyber Defender

Cyber Defender

A leader raising the digital defenses amid innumerable threats. Risk management, zero trust and cyber hygiene are top of mind for this awardee as they secure the perimeter of systems. 
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Digital Transformer

Digital Transformer

This awardee is committed to improving data interoperability between services and demonstrates a passion for modernizing the data landscape. 
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Data Advocate

Data Advocate

This leader moves data globally at scale and uses technology to connect sensors across the services with AI. 

Important Dates

Entry Deadline: December 29, 2025

Flywheel Finalists Announced: January 12, 2026

 

Winners Announced: February 26, 2026 at the Defense IT Summit in Arlington, VA

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Hear From Past Winners

The efforts of the entire team continue to drive CORA to rapidly adapt to new threats and vulnerabilities in ways that were not possible with CCRI. The remediations of key indicators of risk during the assessment have expedited the most important fixes by leaps and bounds.

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Charles Wille, JFHQ-DODIN

Cyber Defender | 2025 Winner

Our team and people across Navy and Marine Corps are working to modernize systems and capabilities for our Marines and sailors. Because, at the end of the day, getting them the capabilities that they need is the only thing that matters to us. We just want to make them the winners.

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Beth Caswell, Department of the Navy

Digital Transformer | 2025 Winner

Data is a team sport and there are several airmen and guardians in the room. I thank each and every one of you because we wouldn’t be where we are today without every single one of you making data a part of your core DNA and everything that you do every single day.

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Eileen Vidrine, Air Force

Data Advocate | 2024 Winner

As I accept this award for Interoperability Leader, a lot of people ask me what credentials do I have and what training did I have? And I simply say passion. ... I also say there’s a lot of i’s in interoperability: there’s innovation, ingenuity, intelligence, there’s industry, there’s not be willing to say that we innovate in silos and then there’s raising a hand and saying I want to help.

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Amanda Cournoyer, Department of Veterans Affairs

Interoperability Leader | 2023 Winner

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Why the Flywheel?

The flywheel — a critical component in a machine to increase its momentum — is also a critical symbol representing our goal to keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government. This momentum is what fuels the constant need for transformers to innovate around strategies, systems and tools to keep government functioning efficiently.

 

Submit Your Nomination

Contact Us

If you have any questions or issues accessing the form,
please contact Director of Events Ruslana Meyerson at
Ruslana.Meyerson@govcio.com

 

Sponsorships available.
Contact Jennifer.Weiss@govcio.com