# AI for Government Leadership and Management

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/ai-federal-leadership-management>

## Overview

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms government workplaces, leaders must be prepared to guide their agencies through the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. This four-hour, advanced-level training equips government executives and senior managers with the strategic insights, frameworks, and leadership skills needed to lead high-performing, AI-enabled teams while navigating cultural change, workforce upskilling, and ethical imperatives.

Participants will analyze real-world case studies, engage in executive-level discussions, and develop action plans for aligning talent, technology, and mission outcomes. The course emphasizes actionable strategies to foster an adaptable, future-ready workforce and sustain public trust in the age of intelligent automation.

## What you'll learn

- Assess the impact of AI on the government workforce and organizational structure
- Develop strategies to lead workforce transformation and drive successful AI adoption
- Design talent management approaches for recruiting, upskilling, and retaining employees in AI-rich environments
- Establish ethical and governance frameworks to support responsible AI use across teams

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: AI and the Future of Government Work

- Identify the drivers of AI in the public sector.
- Explore current and emerging types and use cases for AI at all levels of government.
- Identify challenges and risks unique to AI-enabled service delivery.
- Evaluate early 'quick win' opportunities for mission-driven innovation.

#### Module 2: Strategic Leadership and Talent Management for the AI-Era

- Explore a strategic model that aligns AI innovation with public impact.
- Evaluate AI projects based on mission value, feasibility, and risk.
- Identify emerging skills/competencies/roles in AI.
- Redesign traditional roles to leverage AI-augmented workflows.

#### Module 3: Leading Change while Fostering Engagement and Trust

- Apply change management models to overcome resistance and lead cultural change during AI adoption.
- Map stakeholders and engage them early to build buy-in.
- Examine responsible AI principles of trustworthy AI within a mission-focused context.
- Establish verification processes to mitigate technical risks and model hallucinations.

#### Module 4: Executive Decision-Making and Action Planning with AI

- Apply frameworks to build institutional accountability for AI systems.
- Standardize the executive decision-making process for AI-informed actions.
- Draft a formal AI governance policy tailored to specific agency requirements.
- Construct a tactical 90-day roadmap for pilot project implementation and monitoring.

## Schedule
- Jul 8, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Aug 12, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online
- Sep 16, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Oct 22, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Nov 19, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online
- Dec 17, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online

## Instructors

### Bruce Gay — Instructor

Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery.

Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. 

Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. 

Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences.

### Steve Pesklo — Instructor

Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance.

Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years.

Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

### Brian Simms — Instructor

Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. 

In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate both the complexities of project management and the transformative potential of AI.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $675
