Congratulations to the 2018 Rising Stars
![](https://cdn.nextgov.com/media/img/cd/2021/12/11/GovInnoAwardsLogo760x368-29/860x394.jpg?1639283473)
Meet 20 early-career phenoms who are driving change in government IT.
![Government Innovation Awards Logo](/media/ps360/GIG/EDIT_SHARED/Logos/GovInnoAwardsLogo760x368.jpg)
Each year, the Rising Star Awards recognize individuals who are early in their federal IT careers yet already are having an outsized impact. The women and men listed below have been selected both for their accomplishments over the past year and for their leadership potential in this community.
As this year's list makes clear, there's tremendous talent coming up through the ranks. You can learn more about each of the 2018 Rising Stars via the links below.
Combiz Richard Abdolrahimi
Global Emerging Technology & Innovation Strategist, Senior Advisor Manager, Government & Public Services, Deloitte
Qituwra Anderson
Content Designer, 18F, Technology Transformation Services, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration
Jeremiah Burch
Scrum Master, TCG
Capt. Keely J. Carrigan
Operations Flight Commander, 707th Communications Squadron, U.S. Air Force
Michael B. Cox
Data Scientist and Team Lead for Internet of Things, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Senior Airman Christopher R. Deforge
Geospatial Analyst/Full-Motion Video Screener, 45th Intelligence Squadron, U.S. Air Force
Anjelica B. Dortch
Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Federal CIO, Office of Management and Budget
Akoua Enow
Management and Program Analyst, Office of Information Technology, Transportation Security Administration
Benjamin Franich
Business Development Manager, Edgewater Federal Solutions
Ryan Hillard
IT Specialist/Systems Developer, Business Technology Solutions, Office of the CIO, Small Business Administration
Nicholas Holtz
Digital Services Expert, U.S. Digital Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Daisy O. James
Project Manager, Enterprise Services, Office of Information and Technology , Passenger Systems Program Directorate, Customs and Border Protection
Danielle Lauhoff
Project Manager, Telos Corporation
Katherine M. Katina
Business Development Associate, SAIC
Oki Mek
Chief Product Officer, Division of Acquisition, Department of Health and Human Services
Taylor C. Roberts
Cybersecurity Advisor, Office of Management and Budget
Capt. Anthony N. Rodriguez
Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, 24th Air Force, U.S. Air Force
Sunil Sadasivan
Senior Engineering Lead, Nava Public Benefit Corporation
Henry Sowell
Chief Information Officer at Hortonworks Federal and Technical Director, Hortonworks
Drew Zachary
Program Director, Opportunity Project, and Co-Managing Director, Census Open Innovation Labs, Census Bureau, Department of Commerce
NEXT STORY: Rising Star: Capt. Anthony N. Rodriguez