Margie Graves

Graves oversees an IT portfolio of $5.4 billion in programs in addition to managing the operations of the Office of the CIO. Prior to coming to the White House, she was the Department of Homeland Security’s deputy CIO. A good leader defines broad parameters and expected outcomes but allows a team to decide how best to achieve them — while still providing “air cover” and course correction when needed, Graves said. “We have a great advantage because our missions provide purpose,” she added. “This is one of those moments where progress can be made on many of our most intractable and complex issues simply because we have access to data, information, services, tools and analytics that can help us get to the heart of the matter.”