Toggle Search

Strategic Advisors to Government Executives (SAGE)

Spread across six communities of practice—chief acquisition officers, chief financial officers, chief human capital officers, chief information officers, chief operating officers and chiefs of staff—SAGEs lend their expertise to help senior leaders navigate the complex federal environment and the political, management, legal and fiduciary demands of their positions.

Criteria for SAGE Induction

To become a SAGE, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a former federal government employee, and have:
  • A demonstrated commitment to public service, including previous experience in a C-suite – or equivalent level – federal role;
  • An ability to be nonpartisan, open-minded and willing to advise current federal leaders on a variety of topics;
  • A commitment to advancing the mission of the Partnership ahead of personal business or conflicts of interest while completing SAGE engagements; and
  • A relevant professional background that supports the Partnership’s mission and priorities and contributes to the experiences and skills represented by the SAGE community.

Co-Chairs

SAGE co-chairs are integral to the success of our program. Each of these talented executives lead one of our six SAGE communities and ensure that we are coordinating effectively across them. The co-chairs also collaborate with the Partnership to set the strategic direction for the program, recruit new members and engage existing SAGEs in our efforts to support federal leaders.SAGE co-chairs are integral to the success of our program. Each of these talented executives lead one of our six SAGE communities and ensure that we are coordinating effectively across them. The co-chairs also collaborate with the Partnership to set the strategic direction for the program, recruit new members and engage existing SAGEs in our efforts to support federal leaders.

Jim Williams, CAO Co-Chair
Former Commissioner, Acting Administrator, Federal Acquisition Service – General Services Administration

Maureen Wylie

Maureen Wylie, CFO Co-Chair
Former Chief Financial Officer – Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Beverly Ortega Babers

Beverly Ortega Babers, CHCO Co-Chair
Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management & Budget – (Department of the Treasury), and Chief Human Capital Officer (IRS) – Internal Revenue Service

John Gilligan

John Gilligan, CIO Co-Chair
Former Chief Information Officer – Department of Energy and U.S. Air Force

Patricia Cogswell

Patricia Cogswell, COO Co-Chair
Former Deputy Administrator – Transportation Security Administration

Joan DeBoer

Joan DeBoer, COS Co-Chair
Former Chief of Staff – Department of Transportation

Our SAGE Community

130

SAGEs

33

political appointees across seven administrations

77

career senior executives

40

Over 40 federal agencies represented

20-30

average years of government service

300

hours contributed to the program annually