GovCon Wire
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Tuesday, August 04, 2026 11:00am-12:00pm EST Virtual, ON24
National Security Presidential Memorandum-12 (NSPM-12) raises the bar for how federal agencies govern, secure, share, and operationalize data to support mission outcomes and trustworthy AI adoption. Yet many organizations face a common challenge: critical data remains fragmented across cloud, on-premises, and mission systems, making compliance, transparency, and AI readiness difficult to achieve.
Join Denodo for a practical discussion on how agencies can establish an AI Data Mesh that helps accelerate NSPM-12 objectives without costly data migration projects. Learn how leading organizations are improving data visibility, governance, access control, lineage, and interoperability while creating a trusted foundation for analytics, AI, and mission decision-making.
In this webinar, attendees will:
Turn NSPM-12 requirements into measurable progress.
Register today!
Steve is the Principal, Federal Cybersecurity with Amazon Web Services (AWS). His focus is on strategic engagements with key Federal Organizations and Authorizing Officials focused on solving complex problems that address cloud adoption challenges. Steve is responsible for seeking innovative solutions that enable the adoption of Cloud Service Provider capabilities in support of Federal missions. Previously, Steve served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years and retired as a Colonel. His last positions included Commander, 688th Cyberspace Wing, and Commander, 318th Cyberspace Operations Group, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Steve’s previous Joint assignment was at U.S. Pacific Command where he served as the Branch Chief, Joint Fires & Effects for Offensive Cyberspace Operations.
I am the Senior Vice President of Solution Engineering at Amivero, where I lead technology strategy and innovation initiatives for a rapidly growing government contracting firm. I'm responsible for driving technical excellence, advancing AI capabilities, and fostering innovation across our portfolio of federal projects. My professional background spans AI/ML, Cloud Computing, DevOps/Automation, Application Development, Product Management, Business Intelligence, and Analytics. Prior to joining Amivero, I served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief AI Officer (CAIO) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , where I led a team of ~150 employees and contractors. During this time, I spearheaded department-wide AI initiatives, recruited a specialized team of 50 AI experts, and delivered AI-powered products including a department-wide Generative AI chatbot used by 20,000 personnel. I established comprehensive AI governance frameworks and ensured the safe, responsible adoption of emerging technologies like facial recognition and generative AI. Outside of work, I am a passionate and lifelong gamer that still remembers playing Counter-Strike on my Toshiba Infinia 7200 in the 90's. Whether it's replaying Final Fantasy VII for the hundredth time or trying a new RPG, RTS, FPS, or MMO, I love epic narratives that blend creativity, fantasy, strategy, and problem-solving. I'm also a hands-on techie that does 3D printing and building IoT devices for home projects like creating escape rooms. Additionally, I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and enjoy tabletop games like D&D with family and friends.
Douglas M. Natal is Vice President and General Manager of Denodo’s U.S. Federal Business Unit, where he leads business development, strategic partnerships, marketing, BDR operations, and federal sales strategy. With more than 30 years of executive leadership in enterprise technology markets, Doug has built and scaled high-performing organizations serving federal, defense, and intelligence agencies. Doug’s career spans many of the most respected companies in cloud computing, data management, and cybersecurity, including EMC, NetApp, MapR, Sumo Logic, and VeriSign. He also founded Government Sales Advisors, a successful consulting firm that helped technology startups penetrate government markets before its acquisition. Throughout his career, Doug has helped align emerging technologies with billion-dollar public sector markets, leading large-scale deployments in cloud infrastructure, data platforms, cybersecurity, and analytics across federal agencies. Today, Doug works with government leaders to help modernize data architectures and accelerate AI initiatives by enabling secure, real-time access to distributed data environments. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University and an MBA from Virginia Tech.
Kawika is a former govie from DISA-Pac. He is also a seasoned cybersecurity and federal government strategy leader with over 30 years of technical, architectural, and cyber experience and more than 25 years in Strategic Leadership roles. Having held influential positions at major firms such as Palo Alto Networks, Verizon Federal, Symantec Corp, & Proofpoint Federal where he led teams focused on Quantum, Zero Trust, Cloud, AI/ML, Federal GTM, and technical Sales Engineering. Kawika is also a current Sr. Policy Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence where he has authored 3 global policies on Disinformation Campaigns and Artificial Intelligence. Most notably his contributions to a recent policy have led to the development of the AI Whitehouse Strategy in 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kawikatakayama
11:00am - 10:05am EST
Welcome & Webinar Overview
Moderator: Doug Natal, Regional Vice President, Denodo
11:05am - 11:15am EST
NSPM-12: From Policy to Practical Data Modernization
Speaker: Kawika Takayama, Strategic Director, Denodo
11:15am - 11:25am EST
Cloud Perspectives on Enabling NSPM-12
Speaker: Steve "Canyon" Anderson, Principal, Federal Cybersecurity, AWS
11:25am - 11:50am EST
Expert Panel Discussion
Moderator: Doug Natal
Panelists: Kawika Takayama, Steve "Canyon" Anderson, David Larrimore
Topics include:
11:50am - 12:00pm EST
Audience Q&A & Closing Remarks
