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Celebrating 35 Years of FMP With Sherean Miller, Erin Pitera, and Jessica Milloy
For FMP’s 35th anniversary, we hear from the leaders who have shaped our firm’s identity, strengthened our culture, and guided us through decades of change. In this first installment, we bring together reflections from Managing Partner and Owner Sherean Miller, CEO Erin Pitera, and COO Jessica Milloy, three leaders whose tenure, experience, and vision span…
What Innovation and Creativity Really Are (And Why It Matters)
From federal agencies to Fortune 500 companies, innovation has become a top priority. Corporate R&D spending reached a record $1.3 trillion in 2024 (WIPO, 2025), and 83% of executives are calling innovation a strategic imperative. And for good reason. Research shows that innovation is crucial for firm survival and profitability (Ugur & Vivarelli, 2021; Cefis…
Fresh Starts and New Beginnings
As we hang a brand-new calendar or crack open a fresh planner, the year ahead feels full of possibility. Pretty soon we’re going to be caught up in the routine, but before that happens, it is worth taking a few minutes to plan for the year to come. My calendar tends to fill up fast and take on a life…
Reimagining Federal Hiring: Key Changes in the 2025 Merit Hiring Plan
The federal hiring landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the release of the 2025 Merit Hiring Plan issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in response to Executive Order 14170: Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service. Most of the Plan’s strategies are not new to the federal…
Unlocking the Power of AI Through Workforce Fluency
The Case for Building AI Fluency When we talk about AI fluency, we aren’t just talking about the technical skills needed to use AI tools, we are also talking about knowing what AI can do, how to use it responsibly, and how to think critically about its outputs. AI fluency is the ability to understand,…
From Mandates to Momentum: A Human-Centered Approach for AI Adoption in Government
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a central part of how federal agencies operate. However, adopting AI is not just choosing the right tools, it is about making sure those tools fit the mission, the people, and the systems already in place. For AI to deliver meaningful value in government, it must be integrated in ways…
How to Develop the Leadership Skills You Need for 2025 and Beyond
It’s clear that the skills required to lead effectively are shifting. The rapidly evolving landscape, shaped by economic pressures, advances in artificial intelligence, hybrid work models, and more, calls for a different kind of leadership. Our first blog post in this two-part series, What Makes a Great Leader in 2025?, explored the traits that strong leaders…
Bridging the Gap: Rise 360 and the Future of Federal L&D
Federal agencies are facing a pivotal moment in workforce development where the need for agile, accessible, and self-directed learning has never been greater. As Amanda Palla and Tim Brown highlight in their ATD blog, “Reshaping Federal L&D to Meet the Moment,” federal agencies must rethink traditional training models and embrace tools that empower employees to…
Adapting in Action: Upskilling as a Strategic Response to Change
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, upskilling is not only a cornerstone of workforce development, but also a strategic approach for enhancing organizational effectiveness and driving workplace efficiency. Compared to traditional training methods designed to facilitate long-term employee growth through formal, structured programs and curriculum, upskilling reflects a shift toward addressing immediate skill gaps and shifting…