Talent
Bootcamp to Placement: Expanding Government Innovation Across States, Cities, and Communities
By: Rebeca Lamadrid, Senior Vice President Talent Programs
Last month, 28 exceptional young professionals from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C. for what has become one of my favorite times of the year – the NobleReach Scholars Program bootcamp.
During these two weeks, the Scholars come together to learn, hear from distinguished speakers across the political spectrum, and build the camaraderie and community that will serve as a foundation for their public service journeys. They leave bootcamp energized and armed with frameworks and tools as they embark on yearlong placements at all levels of government and with mission-driven ventures across the nation.
In my last post, I shared how NobleReach is expanding to state and local governments. This year’s cohort was the first to reflect that reality — with Scholars preparing to serve not only in federal agencies but also in communities across the country where innovation is urgently needed.
As I watched this year’s cohort engage with leaders from former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Maryland’s Secretary of IT, Katie Savage to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, I was reminded of why we do this work.
The NobleReach Scholars Program helps show the next generation something they may not yet see in themselves – that through the power of mission-driven work, they can break down barriers, reimagine government innovation and make a real, lasting impact on their communities and their nation.
From strengthening cybersecurity in Maryland, to advancing AI adoption in Seattle, to supporting the space ecosystem in the Midwest – our Scholars are demonstrating that innovation in government is not confined to Washington, D.C. It’s happening in every corner of the country
It offers a pathway to test their technical skills and their capacity to listen, learn and connect in a new environment against the most challenging problems we face as a country.
The energy during those two weeks was palpable. Selected from over 1,200 applicants representing 100+ universities nationwide, these 28 scholars represent the future of American innovation in public service. But what struck me most wasn’t just their technical brilliance – it was their genuine desire to serve and understand how technology can transform government for the better.
During my own journey from the private sector to government and now to NobleReach, I’ve learned that impactful public service requires more than technical expertise. It demands empathy, adaptability and the ability to build bridges across sectors. This spirit is precisely what our bootcamp is designed to cultivate.
The conversations were as diverse as they were impactful. Former NSA Director General Paul Nakasone taught our scholars about operating across silos to solve big problems. Navy CTO Justin Fanelli challenged them to think differently about innovation adoption in both their new roles and in how they move through the world. And in a particularly powerful session, Sec. Gates encouraged them to take the unexpected path, reminding us all that calculated risk-taking is essential in public service.
These lessons matter now more than ever. As NobleReach grows from a federal program to one that empowers leaders in statehouses, city halls and mission-driven ventures, the Scholars are carrying forward a model of public service that is both entrepreneurial and deeply rooted in community needs.
What makes the NobleReach model unique is our focus on community. Their roles will be different, but they will all be part a network of changemakers, from engineering students learning about mission-driven entrepreneurship, to Scholars Program alumni heading to industry with a new perspective on government, to mentors committed to seeing the next generation flourish.
As we look ahead, we’re working to realize the Scholars’ potential to create impact beyond their individual placements. It takes a broader ecosystem – federal, state, and local leaders, mission-driven companies, and committed partners – to ensure that innovation reaches every community. We invite those who share this vision to join us in expanding opportunities for the next generation of mission-driven leaders nationwide.
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