Ask Me Anything: Industry Conversations for Government Professionals Exploring What's Next

A monthly series for people who want to learn what roles might fit

One of the hardest parts of leaving government is figuring out what you might do next. Private-sector industries can feel opaque from the outside, and job titles (even job descriptions) rarely tell you what the work looks like day to day.

This series is designed to pull back the curtain. Each month, I bring in a guest working in a specific industry or role type to answer real questions from people considering that path. These are candid conversations about what the work is, who it suits, how people break in, and what the tradeoffs look like from the inside, and sometimes (admittedly rarely), they’ve led to networking opportunities and interviews!

Next Session

The Corporate Security Playbook: Competitive Strategies for Government Pivoters

Tuesday, May 12 at 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET

We're lucky to have Erin Thomas, the current Head of Physical Security, Intelligence and Investigations at Vanguard. With a career spanning the federal intelligence community and leadership roles at Amazon, she brings a unique perspective on bridging the gap between these two worlds.

We'll cover:

  • Breaking down roles in protective intelligence, global operations, and internal investigations.

  • How to turn federal skills into corporate must-haves.

  • What big tech and finance firms look for on a resume and the common pitfalls to avoid when pivoting from federal service.

Register for the AMA
Register for the AMA

This is a FREE, live, virtual, practical session.

We use Chatham House Rules, so we don’t record the sessions. If you’d like a summary from the session, please check out the Resources page or email robyn@rjleadershipcoaching.com

Curious About Past Sessions?

I’ve created resources from some of our past sessions in case you were unable to attend:

  • Navigating the Boutique Consulting Pivot: A Perspective from the Inside → Read the recap

  • Demystifying Trust & Safety Roles →Read the recap

  • The Executive Standard: What Recruiters Really Look for in High-Stakes Hires

  • Transitioning from Public to Private Sector - Or Whatever Comes Next!

How the Sessions Work

Each AMA is built around a single topic: an industry, a function, or a type of role, and features a guest with direct experience in that space. I facilitate the conversation and start with those you submit when you register, then we open it up to the group.

Logistics:

  • Live, virtual session via Zoom

  • Approximately 60 minutes

  • No cost to attend

  • Registration is per session; each AMA has its own sign-up link

  • No recordings to keep the sessions comfortable for attendees - if you’d like a readout afterwards, contact robyn@rjleadershipcoaching.com

Have a topic you’d like to see covered?

Part of what makes this series useful is that it's shaped by the people who attend. If there's an industry, role type, or question you'd like to see explored in a future AMA, I'd love to hear about it.

Looking for more structured support?

The AMA series is designed to help you expand your sense of what's possible. If you're ready to start making decisions about your own path, you may also be interested in: