Speakers
2026 FedHealth Conference Speakers
Jennifer Johnson is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions (DAS-A) and Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) – the top Department executive responsible for the strategic management, oversight, and execution of HHS' acquisition programs. In this capacity, she provides executive leadership in shaping acquisition policy, ensuring compliance with Federal acquisition statutes, driving operational excellence across all procurement activities, and serves as the principal acquisition advisor to HHS senior leadership, including the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO)/Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR) in carrying out their responsibilities for leading the Department’s acquisition program of over $25B annually in federal contracts.
Previously, Ms. Johnson served as the Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition Policy, Legislation, Oversight & Workforce for HHS where she advised the DAS-A/HHS SPE and CAO/ASFR on the formulation and promulgation of Department-wide policy, proposed legislation, regulations governing the Department's acquisition programs, and provided executive leadership of the acquisition workforce certification, training and development and procurement oversight and compliance programs.
Prior to joining HHS, Ms. Johnson served as Associate Director for Acquisition Policy, Oversight and Business Strategies for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of the Senior Procurement Executive in the Office of the Secretary (OST). Earlier in her career, she previously held roles as an Acquisition Policy Team Lead, Small Business Specialist and Contracting Officer at the Federal Highway Administration. She worked as a contracting professional in the private sector prior to joining the Federal Government. Ms. Johnson has over 19 years of experience as an acquisition professional and holds a Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Science of Administration of Justice – both from George Mason University and a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from The George Washington University.
Kathleen Berst, Acting Assistant Director Support, Component Acquisition Executive, DHA
Nadia Smith, Acting Chief Digital Health Officer, VA
Arlene Joyner, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director, Office of Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain. HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Dr. Karl S. Mathias, Chief Information Officer, Dept. of Health and Human Services
Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, Veterans Health Administration
Michael Parrish, Chief Acquisition Officer & Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, Veterans Affairs


