We sat down with Bonnie Evangelista, a trailblazer in government acquisitions and digital innovation. As the Acting Deputy Chief Digital and AI Officer for Acquisitions at the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Bonnie shares insights into how she navigates the complex world of government acquisitions, leveraging emerging technologies to drive modernization.Bonnie walks us through her career journey, from her early days studying at Virginia Tech (#Hokies) to becoming one of the driving forces behind initiatives like the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace—a digital platform that connects the DoD with cutting-edge solutions from industry, academia, and individuals. She also reflects on her time as the host of Defensive Mavericks, the CDAO podcast, and how you never know what experiences will pop up in your career.But Bonnie isn't all government—we chat about her family's winery and what it's like to have a life in the vineyard. Enjoy!LINKS:+ Bonnie: https://bit.ly/4dsnbf5+ MetroStar: https://bit.ly/3TNSTMQ+ Tradewinds: https://bit.ly/3zHx7n5The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

0:00 Intro1:54 Hosting CDAO's Podcast9:55 Talking about AI12:48 Resistance to Tech15:22 Recruitment in Acquisitions17:39 Getting a Job in Government23:00 Asking Questions as a Skill26:29 Cost Analysis for the TSA29:44 Mentorship34:16 Your Sphere of Control38:24 Tradewinds46:37 Protests in Tradewinds50:17 Contract Vehicles in Tradewinds54:15 Owning a Winery