The GuideLine Ep 3: The moment has come for government CIOs

Episode Overview

For federal chief information officers, this is a moment of pressure, but also possibility. Today’s government tech leaders are being asked to move faster, deliver better services, and roll out AI responsibly, all at once. In this episode of The GuideLine, Stuart Brown talks with Nancy Sieger, former Chief Information Officer of the IRS and former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, about what this triple mandate means for CIOs working within U.S. federal agencies. 

Together, Stu and Nancy examine the growing tension between innovation and governance, and why user experience is becoming a defining responsibility of the CIO role. They discuss what practical AI adoption looks like in government, why experimentation within guardrails builds momentum, and how citizen developers help turn ideas into action. The conversation also explores the future of tech talent within government, and why federal agencies may be uniquely positioned to leapfrog into new ways of working in the AI era. 

About the host 

Stuart Brown, Global Technology Leader, Guidehouse

Stuart Brown is a visionary technology leader with more than 25 years of experience guiding complex transformations across industries. At Guidehouse, he leads the Technology practice, helping organizations shape their digital innovation strategies. Known for connecting big ideas to real outcomes, Stuart brings a pragmatic, people-first approach to solving today’s toughest technology challenges.   

About the guest 

Nancy Sieger, Partner, Financial Services, Guidehouse 

Nancy Sieger is a Partner at Guidehouse in the Public Sector Financial Services practice. She previously served as CIO of the IRS and as CTO for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. With more than 35 years of federal leadership experience, Nancy is known for guiding large-scale modernization efforts that improve public service delivery while operating within complex regulatory and security environments. At Guidehouse, she advises public sector leaders on AI implementation, data strategy, and mission‑driven technology transformation.